In a meet-the-press programme at the Trissur Press Club on Wednesday, Tamil film director Bharathi Raja, considered the godfather of modern Tamil cinema for inspiring a generation of young artists to take up movies as a career, commented that Tamil cinema is fast losing its identity.
He said that contemporary Tamil cinema concerns itself with exploiting the latest technology rather than improving content. "Films that portray social realities are no longer being made. I cannot understand why a regional film should be made at Rs. 100 crore. Actors hike their fees frequently for no reason. Some members of the film industry are out there to make a fast buck. No one is concerned about commitment to the medium or artistic integrity,” a national newspaper reported.
He said that a good film is often the outcome of a combination of directorial skills and writer’s vision. “Everyone wants to be a director these days. No one takes pains to be a writer. Only when a talented director and writer work together, a good film is made."
He referred to a few Malayalam and Bengali films that had a rare quality to touch the soul. “I have always attempted to make such films. For the past 20 years, I have been thinking of directing a Malayalam film. I may do it any day,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Bharathan Award, instituted by the Bharathan Foundation, was presented to director Bharathi Raja for outstanding contribution to cinema at a function held on the 10th death anniversary of director Bharathan. Film directors Kamal, Venu B. Nair and Jayaraj handed over the award in the presence of K.P.A.C. Lalitha and Kavalam Narayana Panicker. Bharathan’s son Sidharth was also present on the occasion.
