Kerala   

Wind up off-screen action, bring out quality films

Though Malayalam film industry has not been able to deliver mention-worthy films recently, it has been presenting colourful off-screen dialogues in the past two weeks in front of its rapidly dwindling audience.

This is not the first instance of such feuds within the industry. What have these multiple unions given us, other than periodic spurts of furious dialogues and more federations? Have they done anything to bring audience back to the cinemas?

The blame has been always on the viewers for not supporting good films in theatre. But, what is on offer? The masses have shown more than once that they will readily lap up good movies like Kaazhcha and Kadha parayumbol, but even then, the general trend of the directors is to stereotype.

When will they learn that themes which clicked once will not work when used for the umpteenth time? The themes of the movies post 90s can be narrowed down to a few -- mindless comedy or atrocious action.

There was a time when our movies, made with ridiculously low budget, could boast of bold themes, innovative cinematography and poetic lyrics. There was a time.

They say cinema is market-driven. After so many failures, which market is driving this industry? Do these people believe that the industry can survive without audience? If yes, think again. There are movies, though in other languages, which interest us. And watching movies in other languages is almost like watching Malayalam films these days! Many aspects, even comedy, are blatantly plagiarised by our filmmakers. Why not do something original and creative, rather than framing new organisations?

The last Oscar award ceremony was delayed since the writers were on a strike. Imagine, our industry has been running, smoothly, for the last few years with the writers on strike and with fighting federations within industry! Good luck Malayalam cinema!

Roshin Unnikrishnan

Nilambur

While we are thankful for the good job you are doing, we request you to avoid issues like rift in MACTA. They do not affect the common man. We are more concerned about issues like inflation.

Babu

Kannur

On 16th June, 2008, members of the split away group joined to form a new association and the split in the Malayalam Cine Technicians’ Association (MACTA) Federation is now official. Let it go like that because if there is a problem, the members should have the freedom to face it. Of the 59 Malayalam films released last year, only four or five got their money back from the box office and more than 50 were flops. This shows the declining standards of the film industry in the State. The ego, complex and the ‘superstarism’ of actors affect the film industry much. The Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), MACTA Federation and other associations and unions in the film field are working for and on behalf of the people associated with cinema and there should not be any politics in between. If politics comes, then split is the one and only way. After the floating of the new union, the mud-slinging is at its high, which affects both the film industry and the public. The result will be that non-Malayalam films will rule the State. ‘Dasavatharam’ is playing in 80 theatres in Kerala, and most of other theatres are looking for Tamil and Hindi films.

I suggest ending the rivalry among the various groups in Malayalam cinema and thus helping the industry to survive.

S.N. Thiruvazhiode

Poonithura

Any organisation which has many people with different interests should have a clear bye law, which specifically states how the team must function under one head to attain the common interest. The leader must be a person who can oscillate on all frequencies, but should maintain a distinct unadulterated frequency of his or her own so that alignment is avoided. This is essential for independently assessing the issues coming up before the organisation. From media reports, it is very clear that MACTA Federation did not function for a common programme, but for the dictatorial ways of the decision making unit. Hence the members were unhappy. When an occasion came, the bubbles burst and there is no surprise in it. Organisations like this must design a management capsule and everyone must adhere to it, if the organisation is to function for the common interest. This was absent in MACTA Federation, hence it is split now. At least, the new group must prepare a management capsule having a common interest and another portion for special interest of individual segments in the unit so that no one will feel he or she is discriminated against.

P.M.G.Pillai

Annar

MACTA Federation is already split and the new group has authorised the office-bearers to form a committee to find solutions for the issues. Actors, producers, directors, cameramen, dubbing artistes, singers and technicians connected with the film field should sit together to discuss the issues and should solve them amicably.

An amicable solution is possible only when the actors rise above their ego and complex. Otherwise, the fight will continue and the fox between the goats will get the blood. Tamil and Hindi films are ruling the theatres of Kerala nowadays, and Malayalam cinemas get only 10 per cent success competing with other language films. Due to reality shows and other such shows, even the serials are not in a position to succeed on television.

The adage, ‘United we stand, divided we fall’ is applicable to Malayalam film industry also. MACTA, AMMA and other unions are for Malayalam cinema industry. Let the Tamil and other language cinemas run in our theatres, but majority should be Malayalam films.

P. Sankaranarayanan

Petta

The confrontationist stance by a few in MACTA Federation is both unfortunate and avoidable. An early solution to the issue is both desirable and necessary. An aggressive, arrogant approach should be avoided by both parties. Despite the recent nine national awards, the golden era of Malayalam cinema is no more. Why? It is due to the lack of good storyline, although abundant talent abound. Where are the days of Thakazhi’s ‘Chemmeen’, M.T.Vasudevan Nair’s ‘Vadakkan Veeragatha’ not to speak of ‘Swayamvaram,’ ‘Nirmalyam’ and ‘Vanaprastham.’

To revive Malayalam cinema the existing dispute between Dileep and Thulasidas and the more recent spat by seniors like Thilakan and Nedumudi Venu should be quickly resolved, for which AMMA should step in and constitute a jury of trusted seniors. Both parties should accept their verdict, else the damage will be done! Breaking is easy, but constructing is difficult.

K.B.Ragagopalan

Chittoor Road

Malayalam cinema is facing a challenge from television. Serials and reality shows attract people more than cinemas nowadays. Most of the cinema actors are trying their luck in serials too. News channels showcase real shows, instead of reality shows. Still cinema lives in the minds of people.

Malayalam cinema is better than any other language films. MACTA Federation is a good association, working for technicians of cinema. Now it is split and parted ways to form a new union. Now the real fight is not in the films, but among the association members. Stunt masters are fighting outside the film world. “Sitting in one chair and placing the legs in another chair” is a crime. Superstars and film stars will do it forever. Producers and directors are to obey them, as they are the kingmakers of cinema. Dileep is not an exception to it. Collecting Rs.40 lakh and not acting in a cinema is a problem between the director and the actor and the film world has no business in it. Splitting the association and preventing cinema shoots are not positive steps.

Why didn’t the Minister concerned call a meeting of all these groups to solve the issues, to solve all the problems in Malayalam cinema? Why not all associated with cinema assemble in a hall and settle the issues? Otherwise, non-Malayalam cinemas will rule the theatres in the State and it will be a loss for Malayalam cinema.

Neelandon Kuruvattoor

Ottappalam

The crisis in MACTA Federation has now worsened to such an extent that if it is not tackled immediately it might ruin the State’s film industry. Recently released Malayalam films fared poorly, quality-wise, when compared to films in other languages. If things go from bad to worse, cinema-lovers might one fine day decide not to watch Malayalam films hereafter. Will all these accusations and hostilities help then? Good films, irrespective of language, appeal to audience. The case in point is Kamal Haasan’s ‘Dasavatharam,’ running to full houses across the State. Rival groups in the federation must declare ‘ceasefire’ now and find out means to make the best of artists, scriptwriters, singers, and cameramen work for Malayalam cinema. A rift will serve no purpose.

K.K. Kunhikannan

Koyilandy

There is nothing much to be done. Perhaps, we should stop highlighting the war of words and just wait for issues to die down. Ignore the row. Maybe, just maybe, once there is nothing left to be said, the warring parties would see the fallacy of it all and regroup!

Madhavanunni

Pattambi

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