Former Union Cabinet Minister and senior BJP leader Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today said here that “Kala Kuber” can achieve charismatic success by dominating the “Artificial Intelligence” fashion with their “Artistic Intelligent” passion.

Shri Naqvi said that short films can prove to be a “meaningful messenger” for human values and a “bolstering brand ambassador” against the menace and challenges of terrorism, war, intolerance, drug mafias, racial violence and cyber crime.

During inauguration of the “International Festival of Short Films on Cultural Tourism” in Varanasi, where 3212 films from 115 countries participated, Shri Naqvi said that message oriented short films delve into pertinent topics and act as a catalyst for initiating impactful conversations, raising awareness through artistry and creativity. This International Film Festival was organised by Uttar Pradesh Government and Indian Infotainment Media Corporation with an aim to promote cultural tourism and short films.

Shri Naqvi said that the short films have emerged as a powerful medium of storytelling, allowing filmmakers to convey their messages concisely and creatively in a limited duration on paramount issues such as social, economic, environment, tourism, human rights, poverty, terrorism, politics, democracy, education, health, women rights, and gender inequality in a very simple and appealing manner. Movies and Short films on these imperative issues such as Night and Fog, Battle of Midway, Ardh Satya, Mandi, Bhumika, Nayak (Satyajit Ray), Charulata, Winning Your Wings, Dinner for One, 12 Hours, Khwahish, Blue Helmet, Akhri Munadi, Aarakshan, Gangaajal, Chakravyuh etc. have proved to be a confluence of entertainment and positive inspiration.

Shri Naqvi said that today the persuasive short films have gained prominence because most of the big film production and media houses are giving priority to their commercial interests instead of spreading meaningful messages on burning issues of social concern. On the other hand, it has been observed that short films, made with a combination of social and commercial commitment, are stupendously successful in “Kala (arts), Kaushal (skill), Karishma (marvel), Kamai (earning)”. Short films can give a big message constructively and impartially on several important, sensitive and serious subjects that often go unnoticed or are underrepresented in mainstream cinema and media.

Shri Naqvi said that the demand and acceptability of convincing short films have witnessed unprecedented increase in today’s era of OTT and digital-internet platforms, which have a strong presence in more than 190 countries. The number of consumers of OTT and digital-internet platforms worldwide is estimated to reach at 500 crores in the near future. The number of OTT and digital platforms users in Bharat is about 48 crores and the number is expected to be more than 80 crores in about next three years.

There are about 46 OTT platforms, more than 900 satellite channels and more than 100 crore smart phone users in Bharat; the revenue of OTT platforms in the country is thousands of crores of rupees, and is estimated to grow exponentially in the coming days. All these broadcasting platforms provide immense opportunities for artistry and creativity as well as good earning.

Former Information and Broadcasting Minister Shri Naqvi said that the Bharatiya film industry has come a long way since the first silent movie "Raja Harishchandra" made by Dadasaheb Phalke. This journey witnessed struggle, reform, crisis and success. The period from 1944 to the 1960s is considered by film historians as the "Golden Age" of entertainment oriented films; the decades of 70s and 80s initiated the competition to produce strong scripted and commercially "masala" films; the corporate world gradually entered the film industry in the 90s and it dominated as film producers and “artistic passion” was replaced by “commercial fashion”.

Shri Naqvi said that despite of these challenges, artistic avidity of dedicated film directors and producers of Bharat has led the country to reach at the 5th place in the world in film production with more than 1900 films and more than 5000 short films in about 20 languages being produced annually. Total worldwide box office earning of Bharat’s film industry is about Rs 50 thousand crores. Along with other films, short films are also performing effectively on various platforms across the world, setting a record for their widespread expansion in the entertainment and media market.

Shri Naqvi said that rich in religious, spiritual, cultural and natural resources, Uttar Pradesh has the potential to become a hub of film production. The Yogi Government is tremendously active in encouraging and promoting film production in the state.

This three-day international film festival was organised by Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department and Indian Infotainment Media Corporation. Renowned film director-producer-writer Shri Prakash Jha; director-producer Shri Devendra Khandelwal; producer-writer Ms. Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari; director and script writer Shri Manish Tiwari; director-producer Shri Varun Shetty; director-producer Shri Vinod Kumar Ganatra; actress Ms. Debashree Roy; producer-writer Shri Rumy Jafry; actor Shri Sudhir Pandey; actress Ms. Madhurima Tuli and other prominent people from arts, culture, tourism graced the occasion.