Malaysian Tamil film festival in Chennai

For the first time, a three-day Malaysian Tamil Film Festival opened in Chennai on Jan.9.

The Malaysian film industry is small and enjoys little or no patronage. Kollywood blockbusters have almost eclipsed it. Most of the Malaysian Tamil movies are made on shoestring budgets and very few of them make it to theatres. Of 80 films produced since the 1960s only 26 have been screened in theatres. The Indian population in Malaysia accounts for 10 per cent of Malaysia's population of about 30 million. A mere six per cent of the population speak Tamil and only one per cent watch locally made movies in theatres, according to Vijay, chairman of the Malaysian Tamil Film Festival.

Most theatres there prefer to screen Kollywood films featuring big stars like Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan.

Outlining the state of the Malaysian filmdom, Vijay says only two Tamil movies were made in the country between 1060 and 2000. Youngsters have now started making films with handycams and six or seven films are made each year.

Of the 26 Malaysian Tamil movies that hit the screens since the 60s, 10 were nominated for screening in the Chennai festival. They included 'Underground Rascals,' 'Uttracha Kali, 'Appalam'.

T. Mohan, youth wing chairman of Malaysian Indian Congress, said the objective of the festival in Chennai is to provide a platform to recognize the talent of Malaysian technicians, improve the quality of movies and market films in India.

The festival films will be judged by actor Charlie, Fatima Babu and actor-turned director Manobala for awards in six categories.

Radha Ravi, general secretary of South Indian Artistes Association, inaugurated the festival.