Actors Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth graced the inauguration of the Bharathi Raja International Institute of Cinema here on Friday.
Speaking at the function, Mr. Rajinikanth said, “Though I learnt my craft working on the sets from K. Balachander, I know the importance of studying in a film school because I studied in one.”
Like-minded people
He added that it was important for filmmakers, actors and technicians to meet like-minded people. “It is important to make contacts in the film industry. A film school such as this helps in that. One can understand the passion with which he has created this initiative,” he said.
Speaking at the function, Mr. Kamal Haasan said, “It is an important function. He has seen three generations. I will not agree that he was from a village, suggesting that he didn’t know films when he started making them. He learnt his craft slowly and steadily. I hope people who study here make it big.”
Filmmaker Bharathi Raja said he was happy that three generations of film personalities had responded to his invitation.
“I thought that I should open a film institute in Madurai, cultivate youth there without fees seven years ago. Though I don’t know how it is going to turn out, I am sure that the students can learn something from my experiences,” said Mr. Bharathi Raja.
Disclosing that he had never learnt cinema formally, he said, “I didn't know what a close-up was, I just felt it,” he said.
