Q: What do you have to say to the influence of MTV and satellite TV explosion?

Kobori: I have been with celluloid world for over 25 years and if not direct but somehow been involved with TV. What I feel is that the younger generation is under absolute grip of satellite culture. I don't say we should remain deaf to other cultures. The dynamics of any healthy culture lies in its openness, its constant dialogue to others which in turn supplies the necessary adrenaline to growth. Sadly, we now see a yawning gap between the younger generation and our traditional culture. If I may be allowed I would say we are living in a time of cultural ailment. Recently Ferdausi Rahman and I was invited to programme featuring folk music of Bengal in Calcutta. What really impressed me was the way the whole programme was conceptualized. It featured folk songs of two Bengals including celebrated numbers by Abbas Uddin, Kanailal Shil, Lalon. There were no chairs for the audience and nobody was allowed in trousers. It was a happy marriage of tradition in every aspect from dress code to sitting arrangements. What I am trying to say is that there is attempt in West Bengal to recreate and revive the traditional riches. A content conversation between tradition and modernism is a must for a healthy growth. Hadn't we seen fruitful dialogues with the west in the past? Look at S D Barman or Tagore who himself is a grand example of how the richness of other cultures can be incorporated to ours. Today the scene is different. Since we don't know about our glorious tradition we suffer from inferiority complex and think that the west represent superior culture. This is absolute nonsense. We need to get rid of this motion and I'm pointing at the younger generation standing at the threshold of the 21st century.

Q: Who do you think should be held responsible for this degenerating media?

Kobori: Media I think partly responsible but education system is largely responsible. What are we offering to our kiQ at in the form of English school? Are they being fed with a literature which speak of our culture?

Q: You are a member of censor board. I would like to hear your comments about the dance number that are Dhaka films' staple.

Kobori: I honestly think these are dirty, rotten, filthy stuff. Whenever there is a screening for the censor board (being a film people myself) I had to take pain killer tablets. The way the heroines are dressed - no one, not even the most avant-grade fashion designer of the world in his/her wildest imagination would think of anything like that. They literally impose the vulgar dance sequences on the storyline. Sex is part of life, but the way it is presented in Dhaka movies it reeks of perversion and sick mentality. Then there is the attitude of aping Ballywood. These people are not at all good even in copying.

Q: Then how come these movies see the light of the day? What are you doing with scissors in hand?

Kobori: There are underhand parleys. I don't know much about it.

Q: Is the censor board ineffectual then?

Kobori: There are cases of the scenes we have chopped off at censor are being rejoined while screening in cinema halls. Corruption is all-pervasive in our country.

Q: What you are saying is that there exists no monitoring system?

Kobori: Yes. That is true.

Q: How do you look at the verdict of Bangabandhu Murder Case?

Kobori: I think finally though after a long time we are in a process that will do a world of good to restore people's faith in law and justice. This is the most gruesome murder in present history. A murderer should be punished. There can't be any question about it. We are an unfortunate nation who could not try the killers of its nation. The trial I think is the auspicious moment of our history - a right step to a right direction.

Q: The nation has seen other heinous killing also, Ziaur Rahman, Colonel Taher, Siraj Shikder for example. Do you think that these cases should go for trial immediately?

Kobori: Yes. Indeed. If a killer go scot free it inspires other killer. That is what has happened in our case. Think of the indemnity Bill. It's a black comedy. I even had the difficulty to understand what our politicians say. Ambiguity and rhetoric play a vital role to what they say, it is like mystic chants that always carry double meaning. I have one question to BNP. As a democratically elected government why they didn't even thought of putting the killers on trial? Why indemnity Bill was not touched as a sacred cow during their tenure? Isn't it a national shame?

Q: Let's turn to your celluloid world. What neeQ to be done to salvage the industry from present rotting?

Kobori: My personal feeling is that Film Development Corporation which is now a public enterprise should be run by an autonomous body. If it goes to private hanQ we would see more of what is now being screened in the name of entertainment.

Q: What are the impediments to good entertainment movies?

Kobori: In a single word the financiers who are putting money in the movies. The cultured and educated class who financed the movies in 60's are now being replaced by half-educated and uncultured people. Naturally, the silver screen portrays and circulates the taste of these people. Then again the environment at all cinema halls is to some extent responsible for keeping the good audience at bay. Whereas the cinema halls are considered as nice place for outing.

Q: There is almost a perpetual complaint that the film people are victims of neglect and indifference. In the past five years national film award was not given which is testimony to this utter neglect. What do you have to say?

Kobori: Do you think what is being produced and served on the platter as entertainment deserves award? Unpalatable, bad taste is what marks their celluloid effort. I was in award committee once and for seven days what I had been subjected to was in one word, horrible. How come they expect that government should patronize these stuff?

Q: Is sex-education necessary when rape and child abuse are on the rise?

Kobori: I don't think it would be a very good idea. Before anything I feel we, the parents, should be taught about it. I have seen many parents who apparently look progressive are seen conservative to the bones. So, parents need education first to change their minQet. Plus today's kiQ are not quality entertainment as we have seen in 50's and 60's. Literature that can open up kiQ' imagination is now replaced by satellite TV channels and internet. KiQ are now more exposed to vulgarity than ever before. So, sex education is not the only solution.

Q: Taslima Nasreen has returned from her exile. What is your opinion about her stand as a feminist?

Kobori: Let me tell you first what I really understand by women's liberation. I'm a working lady and a mother and somebody's wife or sister. I feel I should be recognised first as a human being, a person who would have her own choice and the right to say so. I feel insecure when my husband starts worrying if I am late to return home. There should exist an understanding, a mutual respect. When I see the garments girls at night on their way to home I feel really great. At least they are earning their own bread.

About Taslima I should say the way she writes tantamounts to vulgarism. I am against it. Literature should inject in you ideas of good and great not the feeling of ugliness. I feel by writing in a vulgar vein she hasn't at all helped women's cause. It's at most making us belittle. And what the fundamentalists are doing is equally vulgar. I don't think Quran permits violence and freedom of thought. If Taslima is wrong prove it through argument not by giving fatwa for someone's head.

Q: Let's imagine a situation that you are exiled in a deserted island for the rest of your life what or whom would you prefer to take with you?

Kobori: I would certainly take a book, a fiction may be.

Q: Anything particular?

Kobori: Something by Shirshendu.

Q: Who would you rate as the sexiest man in Hollywood or back home?

Kobori: Gregory Peck. I wish if I could ever had a chance to act against him. Back home, nobody.