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"90 per cent of our cinema still lacks maturity. The techniques are developed but we lack the subject matter. Unfortunately we don't use Indian literature and lot of our films are poor remakes of western films," Puri said on the sidelines of the ongoing International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2009.
The veteran who made his film debut in 1976 with the film 'Ghashiram Kotwal', said that the 'New Wave' cinema which had begun during the 80's has gradually lost itself.
"I would not say it is finished but it has reshaped. There are still a few filmmakers like Prakash Jha, Vishal Bharadwaj and Ashutosh Gowariker who are doing good films with a commercial touch," said Puri.
At IFFI, the actor released his autobiography 'Unlikely Hero: The Story of Om Puri' and spoke about his next movie 'West is West'.
"It's a sequel to East is East. Where the first film ends, 'West is West' begins," he said
Puri once again plays the main protagonist, an orthodox Pakistani man living in UK, unable to come to terms with his children's western leanings.
"In the film he takes his sons to Pakistan so that he can marry the elder one to a Pakistani girl and familiarize the youngest son to the culture," said Puri.
'East is East' was a 1999 movie directed by Damien O'Donnell, which had a great success in Britain and many parts of the world.
Talking about his choice of films, Puri said that he likes to do the kind of films he did in the 80s. "I did films like 'Akrosh', 'Jane Bhi Do Yaron', 'Ardhsatya', 'Dushman', 'Mandi', 'Adhar' and others. I am also proud of television work which I did like 'Kakaji Kahin' and 'Bharat Ek Khoj'," he said.
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Either we had borrowed it from the Mughal or compulsorily slaped on us, then came the Westerners.. and now we are running after them. Forget about the films at Bollywood, it is a known fact that just for a few what does a film is called. I just cant forget one sean during a award function where this guy Sajit Khan, who just made a film was insulting Mr Ashutosh Gowariker, as if Ashutosh was just a new entrant to the cine world as a trainee. I felt so ashamed of watching that programe, later whenever i get a chance to see the face of Sajit, i simply switch off the tv. So do heis sister Farah Khan, she was challanging somebody in the same tune and even vulgurly. These people think that somehow (i dont know where they have got the money produce a film in Hindi language) produce a film, they become Baba Phalke Satyajit Ray or even Shyam Benegal. Producing a film is everybody's joke. But producing a film that carry a message to the mass is what a film is actually meant for.
Om Puri has said the truth and only truth. I will like to add, the old Bollywood movies were sensible but at present 99% of our movie are crap with no focus on the plot. sizzling dance and half naked or full naked actress do not make the story stronger. In most Hollywood movies even a naked scene is added with purpose. Bollywood movie should be buried deep in ocean as they are heaven to convert black money to white.
THAT'S NOT TRUE. WE TAKE ONLY SOME PARTS OF FOREIGN FILMS AND THEN INDIANIZE THEM AND MAKE A COMPLETE MESS OF THEM!
I agree with the views of Mr. Om Puri that 90% of our films are western remakes. The fault lies with the authors of the films. Take for example the case of TV serial Big Boss where our Amitabh Bachchan is taking part in it. It is not known what is being offered to the viewers? Are they solving any kind of problem of the nation? Had the subject matter been discussion on how poverty can be removed, perhaps some solution would have been visible. Films are also of the same material. What is being offered is anti- Indian culture? Actresses have lost their decency. They can be filmed in any pose. But what to do? Thanks God there are a few people who have the courage to speak the truth.