The Tamil Nadu Film Directors Association’s (TANTIS) new building was inaugurated on Monday, in the presence of a bevy of personalities from Kollywood. The new building named ‘Padaippagam’ located in Valasaravakkam was inaugurated by veteran film director K Balachander.
Founded in the year 1970 and registered in 1972, the directors’ association functioned under the name ‘South Indian Film Directors Association’.
Interestingly, the association was started by 20 assistant directors of that time.
The association had its first election in 1975. In the year, 1995, the association divided into separate unions based on language. In 2001, after director Bharathiraja was elected as the president, the association was renamed as ‘Tamil Nadu Film Directors Association’ and it turned out to be one of the powerful associations among the 23 associations in tinsel town. However, since its inception, the association did not have a building of its own. For every three years, it kept changing its location from Kodambakkam to Vadapalani.
Later, addressing reporters, director R K Selvamani, former general secretary, TANTIS, said, “Some members of the association feel that they get very little opportunity. This is because youngsters who pass out in film courses nowadays, enter the industry with good knowledge of film techniques and even have a story. In order to compete with them, the members must develop their skills.”
Supporting the concern, director Balu Mahendra said, “The association can arrange for training programmes for at least two Sundays every month to hone the skills of aspiring directors.”
Producer Kalaipuli S Dhanu said, “While celebrating this day, it is important to remember the legends of cinema like S S Vasan and T R Sundaram, who put in their efforts to establish the South Indian Film Chamber on Mount Road for the welfare of the people in the film industry.”
Directors S P Jananathan, Prabhu Solomon and other film personalities like actors Sarath Kumar and Radha Ravi were also present.