Are there villains trying to sabotage local Tamil film industry?

In this globalised society how can we sideline or marginalise movie screenings and block it from filmgoers purely on language bias? Isn’t diversity of cultural expressions vital for a healthy society to move forward?

Many film analysts are of the view that our local Tamil cinema industry has been at the receiving end largely due to alleged step-motherly treatment meted out to it. The recent release of the local Tamil movie ‘Komali Kings’ after a lapse  of 40 years goes to show the extent local Tamil audiences have been starved of our own content.
Doesn’t this tantamount to violation of a filmgoer’s basic right to watch a movie of his or her choice, especially those made in their own country?

Doesn’t this tantamount to violation of a filmgoer’s basic right to watch a movie of his or her choice, especially those made in their own country?

It is no secret that Hollywood, Kollywood and Bollywood have dominated our cinema, but can we let that dominance undermine local content – be it Sinhala or Tamil. In a tragic turn of events, this situation has affected the screening of the Tamil version of the popular Sinhala movie ‘Sarigama’ featuring Pooja Umashanker.
The movie dubbed in Tamil with all songs also in Tamil was to be released in theatres this week. But sadly Tamil film screening theatre owners have apparently refused the screening of this local Tamil movie, compelling the film producer to postpone the screening until a conducive platform emerges.

‘Sarigama’ film director Dr. Somarathne Dissanayake expressing his views on this issue said, it was sad that local film hall owners think that only Indian-made Tamil films will draw crowds to their cinema halls.

“There are no new Tamil films released in South India now. So why can’t they accommodate local Tamil films to cater to our Tamil speaking audiences? We proceeded with the Tamil version of ‘Sarigama’ following a request made by EAP Films, largely because Tamil audiences were not getting an opportunity to watch Indian movies owing to the Covid 19 crisis. But theatre owners have declined to screen this movie. Why is this discrimination? Do they think that only Indian Tamil movies can attract people to their theatres? Do they think that only India makes quality movies? Why don’t they come forward to promote local content? I just cannot understand the rationale behind this decision. I strongly believe that our local Tamil film industry also has the power to impact filmgoers of this country, if a proper platform is given,” he said.

“It is vital at this stage to take steps to revive the cinema-going practice among our people, after the Covid-19 pandemic. This kind of attitude might only discourage filmgoers,” Dr. Dissanayake said.

Text:  Ramesh Uvais