CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Film Directors’ Association, is looking to organise a year-long celebration to commemorate Tamil Cinema’s completion of a 100 years.
Talking to City Express, the secretary of the Directors’ Association, R K Selvamani said, “According to records available with us, work on the first Tamil film, Keechaka Vadham, began in 1916. So in 2016, which is just a month-and-a-half away, we will be completing 100 years of Tamil Cinema. We intend to commemorate this great achievement in a grand fashion.”
Providing details on the Directors’ Association’s plans, he said, “Tamil film industry has been an integral part of Tamil society and so, we want the public to participate in these celebrations as well. Therefore, we plan to have a year-long celebration. During this period, we intend to organise celebrations in one city or town of the state every month. The year-long celebrations will either begin or end in Chennai.” He went on to say that starting from Tamil New Year next year, the celebrations will go on for a year and will end on the Tamil New Year’s Day of 2017.
“As part of the celebrations, we will screen classics for the public for free. For instance, if celebrations are happening in Salem, then a certain number of theatres in Salem will screen classics and landmark films for the public during the month of celebration. Each theatre will screen one free show during this period. Also, one celebrity will attend each such show. The celebrity could be from any craft or stream. For instance, he or she could be a director, producer, actor, actress, cameraman or an expert in any other filmmaking craft.”
Expressing confidence that those from the other crafts would also join their efforts, he said the association was planning to take the lead in organising these celebrations.