Coming shortly after a premiere screening of the film (at the end of which the lead actress, author Mahasweta Devi and director Govind Nihalani were given a standing ovation), the comment did seem a bit out of place. However, it summed up Jaya's views on contemporary cinema and the shabby way audiences treat it. ``People walking in and out of the auditorium, the constant bustle; all this prevents one from concentrating on the film at hand''.

Not that the films deserve any better, according to her. Asked what could be the fate of art cinema, she said it was currently going through a period of struggle, but held out hope for the future. ``This is the age of mediocrity. It's part of a cycle, and as the good follows the bad, so will art cinema improve''.

By way of justifying her statement, she pointed out how Nihalani, despite his reputation and track record, had to go through numerous trials and tribulations to make his films.

Echoing her sentiments, Nihalani said there was bankruptcy of quality scripts, actors and directors. ``More and more people are borrowing ideas from abroad'', he said and added that this meant the expression and its technique too had to be borrowed.

For Mahasweta Devi, even a lifetime of working with the oppressed had not inured her to the treatment meted out to art cinema. ``Just see how long and viably such (art) films have been running'', she said.

However, all three voiced hope for the future. Mahasweta said that the art, despite the lack of takers, had been progressing. ``It is like any other type of art. You have different section of takers for this'', she said.

About their future plans, Jaya said working in Hazaar Chaurasi... had rekindled the actress in her. ``I am also studying some scripts, but nothing is concrete as yet. It all depends on the script'', she added.

Nihalani said he was seriously contemplating involvement in newer strategies. Referring to a foreign television channel's sponsorship of Shekhar Kapoor's Bandit Queen, he said he was exploring channels like Doordarshan and also private channels for future projects.