Why Goan Catholics portrayed badly in movies, asks filmmaker

Why Roman Catholics from Goa are portrayed in a bad light in Hindi movies, asks a filmmaker from the state.

Deploring the portrayal of Catholics as 'boozers' in mainstream movies, filmmaker Rajendra Talak questioned "why Pedro has to always be a drunkard?"

"Why that Pedro has to be a Goan Pedro only? Aren't there Pedros in other states too?" asks Talak.

The award-winning filmmaker was speaking to the press on the sidelines of International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa 2010.

His movie 'O Maria' was screened at the IFFI on Thursday, December 2.

"Hindi films are showing a character (Pedro) in the movie as a boozer and through that they are labelling all the Goans as drunkards. This is wrong," Talak was quoted by the PTI as saying.

Talak stressed on the need for creating awareness among common people through responsible, better, focused and value based cinema.

The Konkani Producer and Director made a fervent appeal to all including local government to work out comprehensive and viable strategies to bring all kinds of good, positive and sustainable development.

"I want to create awareness about saving Goa through this film," said Talak, who is also the President of the Goan Organisation of Filmmakers.

Talak said he will organise special screening of the film for politicians, bureaucrats and even the archbishop of Goa.

O Maria is a film about Maria who refuses to sell her inherited property as a protest again the rising encroachment of tourist resorts, vanishing goan lifestyle and culture and livelihood.