Not easy to get women-centric films released, feel Konkona and Vikramaditya
Motwane also said that there is a need for more screens and better distribution of films for them to sustain and make profit.
Mumbai: Actress-director Konkona Sen Sharma and filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane say it's not easy to get a release for one's film, especially if it is non-commercial and has a women-oriented subject.
Konkona, 36, says filmmaking is in itself quite a task, but it helps if the person who is making the movie is a well known face.
"It is a difficult journey, from your first draft to getting your film released. May be for a person who is established, it is easier because you have contacts, you know people. But it is a difficult journey. Especially if you're making a film which doesn't have a big star, or if it is not a mainstream film, or if it is about a female protagonist," she added.
Vikramaditya, 39, said while now is a great time for making content-driven films, it's not favourable for the release of films as there are limited number of theatres.
"It's a great time for content; it's not such a great time for releasing films because we have limited number of theatres. Every film is running with 1-2 weeks of life in a theatre. Your film can't sustain in that short span," he said.
"Your films have to live for at least four-six weeks in a theatre, to genuinely make money. You see films will work for two weeks and then drop because they're no more showcasing it," he said.
The ‘Lootera’ director said there is a need for more screens and better distribution of films for them to sustain and make profit.
"We need more theatres. We need a better distribution sharing structure, more money needs to be trickled down to the film. There is too much money going to tax and exhibition, but very little money coming back."
Konkona said while one can learn by looking at the journey of established directors on the process of getting the films out, it all boils down to also having an "open mind."
"Each filmmaker is different. Sometimes you can benefit from someone else's experiences and sometimes it may not help you much. But I think it is nice to have an open mind. You get to learn from other people's experiences."