Chennai International film Festival begins

Chennai: “In an age of technology which has opened doors to international films, everybody should watch, relish and also try to improve the quality and standards of our own cinema,” said veteran actor-director Kamal Hasan.

He was speaking as a chief guest at 11th Chennai International Film Festival. He stressed the need to organise such festivals regularly. Bollywood’s ‘Mr Perfect’ Aamir Khan wished that more and more theatres take to screening of all Indian films in order to impart diversity and popularize cultures of all regions.

He also spoke of the need for the Indian viewers to embrace the international cinema, in all its hues and variety. But it was only during international festivals that the Indian viewers get to watch various genres of world cinema. The exhibitors need to bring good movies from across the world to the reach of common people, he stressed. He lauded the efforts of Chennai Film Society in scaling itself up to organise international film festivals.

The inaugural function was held at Sir Metha Venkata Subbarao Concert Hall at Chetpet. CIFI president Kannan welcomed the gathering. Unlike customary speeches, felicitations and mutual praisings, a simple ceremony heralded the event. Actress Lakshmi and another actress Suhasini played a key role in organising the festival.

They also answered several questions related to the Indian cinema in general and Tamil cinema in particular. One of the questions was sent by noted playback singer S P Balasubramanyam who queried about the appointment of censor board members.

Kamal Hasan responded to Balu’s query and observed that the appointments of censor board members at the instance of political parties were doing more harm than good to the cinema. The members have little sensitivity to the art of cinema itself, and film-makers. Good films were not happening as film-makers were hesitant due to the attitude of the censor board.

Persons who sent interesting questions included Ilayaraja, Mani Ratnam, Balu Mahendra, Ramesh, Aravind, Surya and Parthpan Earlier Lakshmi introduced Shabana Azmi. Actress and dancer Swarna Malya gave a splendid performance, depicting the evolution of music and dance in films over the past six decades.

Festival director Thangarajan said that compared to last year, they had selected a better set of films for the audience, including those screened at Cannes and other famous festivals. The film jury chaired by actress Sreepriya has three members.

Famous singer Kartheek and Anil performed a musical concert of old and new film songs. Compered by actresses Lakshni and Purnima Bhagyaraj, two-and-a-half hour function provided a visual feast to film and music lovers.

Woodlands, Symphony and Rani Seethaiah Hall have been hired to screen the films for three days from Thursday. After the inaugural function, ‘Like father like mother’ by Kiro Kazu Koreedu was screened as the opening film.

The festival has international film-makers as guests. They are from Serbia, France, Iran KIev, Poland, Mexico etc.

Among Telugu film personalities who participated in the festival were Thanikella Bharani , Janardhana Maharshi, the Telugu film producers council secretary, and C Kalyan, the president of South Indian film chamber.