Bollywood tries to strangle independent voices: Dibakar

Director Dibakar Banerjee believes the mainstream Hindi film industry tries to suppress independent cinema and it is up to the audiences to recognise talented filmmakers and give them a fair chance.

"Bollywood will always try to strangle something which threatens it. But fortunately for the last 10 years Bollywood hasn't been able to strangle the independent voices. I am standing in front of you as a result of that," Dibakar said in Mumbai.

Calling himself an "aberration", who managed to survive in the industry, the ‘Shanghai’ helmer says he is hopeful that the work of filmmakers like Gurvinder Singh ('Chauthi Koot') and Kanu Behl ('Titli') will get its due.

"I am definitely part of Bollywood but not a part of the formula. I am probably a very interesting aberration in the film industry. There should not be any reason why I should be here but here I am, still working.

"If I can survive, then more talented and uncompromising filmmakers like Gurvinder (Singh) can survive. We need to recognise who we should reward and hold up as people who make us proud all over the world. The next wave has to start. People like Gurvinder and Kanu have to be given their due; otherwise the world will laugh at us."