Panaji: Acclaimed film-maker Rahul Rawail, in an online ‘In-Conversation’ session at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) said that the 1970s saw an influx of new ideas, new experiments, and a new genre of action films in Hindi cinema. Those were also the golden years for unconventional films and the emergence of new techniques.
Recalling his cinematic journey, the veteran filmmaker said, “I started working in this industry from the late 60s and began my career as an assistant to the legendary Raj Kapoor. Stalwarts like K. Asif and Mehmood made films with magnificent sets in the 60s, after which Baburam Ishara’s ‘Chetna’ in the 70s brought about a revolution with shootings done on location over 25-30 days, something which was unusual in those days.”
He said that Vijay Anand’s film, Dev-Anand starrer ‘Johny Mera Naam’ also gave rise to a new form of action-oriented, big plot films in that period. The golden 70s when business was growing fast in the Hindi film industry saw an ‘unconventional hero’ played by Amitabh Bachchan in Zanjeer. It gave birth to the image of an ‘angry young man’, a newly established brand back then. Nasir Hussain’s ‘Yaadon Ki Baaraat’ (1973) which saw the coming of Salim-Javed had a great script, says Rawail. Raj Kapoor’s ‘Bobby’ which introduced Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia also started a new trend. “These films were bringing in a change and adding to the whole palate of film-making.”
Rawail remembers, “In those days there existed a healthy competition among the film stars. Every actor was rising above each other, but there was no rivalry.”
The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is one of the most significant film festivals in Asia. The festival is currently going on in the state of Goa. The festival aims at providing a common platform for the cinemas of the world to project the excellence of the film art; contributing to the understanding and appreciation of film cultures of different nations in the context of their social and cultural ethos, and promoting friendship and cooperation among people of the world.
The festival is conducted jointly by the Directorate of Film Festivals (under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting) and the state Government of Goa.