Talking informally to the students of Asian Academy of Film & Television, Film City, popular film actor Om Puri said that 1950-1970 can be described as the golden era of Hindi films because the film producers respected talented and creative artistes. Thereafter, the filmmaking slipped into the hands of people who are merely interested in making the fast buck. Another reasons for the decline of quality of Hindi film is the lack of direction from the policy makers and the national leaders. He said that whereas the commercial aspect of filmmaking is important, creativity should not be relegated to the back seat. He said that demand from the viewers alone will compel the producers to make good films. He admitted that the themes of most of present day Hindi films are frivolous and flippant. Conceding that entertainment is the integral part of life, he said that nothing should be done in the name entertainment to hurt the sentiments of an individual or a section of the society. He said that films should not be blamed for the evils prevailing in the society. Ranking Anil Kapoor and Aamir Khan amongst the best actors of the decade he said that hard work is the secret of success of these talented artistes. Om Puri disclosed that Pukar, Bollywood calling Hera-Pheru, Guru-Mahaguru are amongst some of the films in which he is currently acting. Later discussing the course conducted at the academy with Director AAFT Prof. Sandeep Marwah, the actor desired that the producer/director should be told that the script is all important in the production of films & television programming and that they must learn script writing work very well.
