Filmmaker Prakash Jha and actress Neetu Chandra on the last day of the Bhojpuri film festival in Patna on Thursday. Picture by Ashok Sinha

Patna, March 24: Changing Bihar has hit the story bank of filmmakers who excelled in scripting plots of crime and corruption rampant in the state a few years ago.

Filmmaker Prakash Jha today said he has run out of topics to make a film on Bihar as the state has changed.

Jha was speaking at the closing of the Bhojpuri film festival organised at Mona cinema to mark the state’s 99th year of statehood.

“Earlier, I had directed Bihar-based films like Gangaajal and Apaharan. But now I don’t have any topic on which I can direct a film. I feel proud to say that Bihar has changed and such activities are no more prevalent in the state. The credit goes to chief minister Nitish Kumar for creating such an atmosphere where the people are living in peace and harmony,” Jha said.

He added: “I don’t think Bihar needs any kind of justification regarding its change. It is very evident. I stay in Mumbai and the people from Bihar who stay there always talk about the changes and feel proud of being a Bihari.”

On Bhojpuri films, Jha said: “I must say that Bhojpuri cinema has a golden history. But in the middle of it, it became commercialised and indecent matters were added to it. Bhojpuri films still need to be established in the broader perspective.

“Even though I am from Bihar, I could never direct Bhojpuri films. Though the zeal has not gone, I don’t know when I will get a chance to direct. I wish I could do it. For development of any state it is very important that entertainment and cultural activities are not neglected. Otherwise, it is not possible for a state to go ahead,” he added.

Jha stressed: “Everyone must feel proud of being a Bihari and should always be committed to retain the state’s identity.”

On Jha’s views, Assembly Speaker Uday Narayan Chaudhary said: “It is good that Jha is not finding a topic to direct a film. It shows that even the film fraternity has accepted that Bihar has changed. We must thank Nitish Kumar for doing such a commendable job. Now, the onus is on the younger generation who have to play a pivotal role in taking the state on top of the world.”

Information and public relations department minister Brishen Patel said: “Next year, when Bihar will complete its 100th year of statehood, the government will celebrate the golden jubilee of Bhojpuri cinema. As far as the quality of Bhojpuri cinema is concerned, we are the only people who can rectify it.”

Bollywood actress and Patna girl Neetu Chandra was also present on the last day of the Bhojpuri film festival. She appreciated the efforts of the state government to make its own mark in the heart of Biharis settled outside the state.