CHENNAI: Seventy five per cent of the Indian films shot in France in the last three years were Tamil films, said consul general of France in Puducherry Pierre Fournier at the inaugural function of the 7th Chennai International Film Festival (CIFF), on Wednesday.
“In a bid to promote France as a shooting venue, a special agency was constituted three years ago. Twenty Indian films have been shot since then: four Hindi, one Malayalam, and 15 Tamil films,” he said, recalling that the most recent Tamil film to be shot there was Ajith’s Asal.
Union Minister of State, Information and Broadcasting S Jagathrakshakan asked the organisers to meet the Chief Minister like they did in 2008, seeking financial help. Responding to CIFF vice chairman S Ve Shekher, who asked for the Centre’s assistance in conducting the festival, the minister said that the application was under process.
Actors Karthi, Devayani, director SP Jananathan, US Consul General in Chennai Andrew Simkins, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany Hans Burkhard Sauerteig and honorary consul of Finland M Ct P Chidambaram were also present.
The film festival organised by the Indo Cine Appreciation Foundation, will showcase 100 world films from 38 countries up to December 24. The films will be screened in South Indian Film Chamber Theatre, Woodlands Theatre and Woodlands Symphony.
A competitive section for Tamil films has been added this year with films 'Ayan', 'Achchamundu Achchamundu', 'Pasanga', 'Kandhaswamy', 'Nadodigal', 'Pokkisham','Thiru Thiru Thuru Thuru' and 'Eesa'.