A reluctance to diversify from the traditional business model, compounded by the growing challenges of technology and piracy, has pushed Tamil cinema into a deep crisis: where supply of films vastly exceeds the demand.
The sad state of the industry, in which smaller films are outmuscled by big-budget films, has convinced many, including well-known cinematographer Nirav Shah, that the time is just not right to venture into filmmaking.
He has kept in cold storage his ambitions to direct a children’s film.
“There are just too many variables at play: a film needs a big star to get to a good number of theatres, it needs a U certificate for tax exemption, and there is this problem of enormous supply and inadequate demand,” he says.
“What’s the point putting so much effort knowing well that the film will struggle to find a place in theatres?” Nirav says he will continue to work as a cinematographer until he gets a clearer picture of where the industry is heading.
Fight against piracyFilmmakers like Parthiban Radhakrishnan, who had raised some pertinent points before the release of his latest, Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam , say they have no other option but to fight, even if they are fighting only the symptoms.
Like actor Vishal Krishna, who recently busted a cable TV operator for showing latest Tamil releases in Karaikudi, Parthiban had exposed traders in a popular market in the city for selling discs of his recent film.
“If I don’t go to the street and fight piracy, I will land up on the street myself. By doing this, I just hope to extend my film’s run a little longer. What else can I do?” he says.
Parthiban feels the industry has already given up its fight against piracy.
“Everybody — including producers, directors and actors — says it is impossible to fight piracy. How can smaller films, whose business potential depend on their theatre run, recoup their investment? The laws for piracy need to be tougher.”
