The award has come to him for his contribution in film distribution as a member of the Eastern India Motion Pictures Association. Apart from his 50 year long career in film distribution, he heads a social trust that gives ‘Life Time Achievement’ awards for cultural excellence annually to a person associated with film making in North-East India. It may be noted that the Goenka family of Shillong is one of the oldest families in the region who have made substantial contributions to the society. It is through the efforts of the Goenka family that landmarks such as the Ganesh Das Hospital of Shillong came into existence. Eastern Panorama recently had an opportunity to talk to this noted film maker. The following are excerpts of the interview.
E.P – Congratulations Mr. Goenka for winning the award. Can you tell us a little about what this award is all about?
S.L.G  – This was given to me for my service in the film distribution business which I have been engaged in for the last 50 years.
E.P – So, after all these years you are still in touch with the film industry?
S.L.G – Yes, I still am.
E.P – What is your opinion about the film industry in the North East?
S.L.G  – It is very difficult for the people in this industry in the North East. Firstly, the audience base for these films is very limited. Secondly, money is a big factor. We must not forget that in making a movie, we are talking about large sums of money. Thirdly, these regional movies have to compete with the popularity of mainstream movies which are abundantly available through DVDs. These are easily procurable at very low cost and as such, the regional movies can not compete with them. This is why it is very difficult for movie halls to come up here and survive. Survival is only possible if there is a subsidy from the government.
E.P – What do you feel is the reason for the decrease in the number of cinema halls in the region?
S.L.G  – This is mainly because of their poor maintenance. The public wants good quality in cinema halls and this is simply not available here. Meghalaya has also incorporated a very unreasonable policy whereby it charges 150 percent entertainment tax. Such exorbitant rates can not be found anywhere else in the world, let alone India. For example, in Assam, the entertainment tax is 30 percent to 50 percent. The entertainment tax in Meghalaya has to be reduced otherwise the cinema halls simply can not survive. If you look at the current situation, you will notice that most of the cinema halls have gone out of business. Besides this, most of the existing cinema halls are still running because these are family businesses which have been handed down to them from generation to generation. As such, the owners have sentimental attachments to these cinema halls and can not even think of closing them down.
E.P - Can you tell us of some of your personal social contributions in Shillong?
S.L.G  – First of all, there is the Ganesh Das Hospital and the Jeevan Ram Goenka Hospital. Here, I am talking about the family’s contributions. In the medical sector, we have also opened the Mother Teresa dispensary at Nongpoh. We have donated land for Shillong Gosala and also for the crematorium at Barapathar. We are also opening a school at Jhalupara. We have also been able to build a number of temples. We also contributed to the Dorbar Shnong at Umsohsun besides many other projects. We are also responsible for opening Kelvin Cinema Hall which was the first ever cinema hall in the entire North East region way back in 1926.
E.P- What about your involvement in the film industry?
S.L.G  – I have produced one Assamese film and one Hindi film.
E.P – Do you have any plans to produce any more?
S.L.G  – Not at present but hopefully some time soon. I want to produce a good Assamese film, not for monetary gains but for my creative satisfaction.
E.P – So you want to do this in pursuance of a creative dream?
S.L.G – Let us say for ‘rewards’. Besides this I am also publishing a book called Heritage Shillong by Dipankar Banerjee which will be a reference book to Shillong and a must have for everyone.

 

E. P. Desk