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What ails Malayalam cinema
Video libraries are making hay while the sun shines. Photo: S. Mahinsha
Deplorable theatres
One of the main reasons for the fall in theatre audience is due to the deplorable condition of the theatres. Torn seats are the order of the day. Halls are rarely cleaned. Air-conditioners never function properly. To sit for three hours in such theatres is a Herculean task.
The condition of the toilets is unhealthy. The suffocating smell even pervades the hall. In these conditions, if female members decide to watch films on TV (an average of three per day) at home, nobody can blame them.
Avanakuzhi Vijayan
Thiruvananthapuram
* * *
Make better films
The film industry has to gear up to produce movies which are innovative, absorbing and attractive to people in general. They should attract not only the youth but also families. Above all, peace, law and order are major components of the atmosphere required for entertainment to flourish.
Kallidai K. Amanullah
Kollam
* * *
No crisis?
No scientific steps have been taken to estimate the quantum of crisis in the film industry. Actually, it is yet to be proved whether there is a crisis at all. The main reasons pointed out are the hike in cost of production, competition from television, video piracy, etc. But these are prevalent in other film industries too.
In the past, there was no other entertainment except films. With the onslaught of TV and video, people can view films at home but still have to pay for it. Nowadays, pirated VCDs are produced and distributed by the people in the industry itself and not by outsiders. Thus, there is a gain to overcome a loss.
If there is a crisis in the industry, people would not have come forward to risk money. There is no remarkable shortage in film production noticed till now.
B. Rajeev
Kollam
* * *
Time to introspect
It is not right to indict the small screen for the incessant failure of movies, since TV channels can never substitute the large screen. It is the time for the industry to introspect on whether they are offering anything worthwhile to the audience.
Filmmakers are trying to cash in on the so-called stardom of an actor to the detriment of a strong theme. It is high time they realised the pulse of the audience and to provide them what they want.
Suresh Kumar K
Thiruvananthapuram
* * *
Filmmakers, sit up
Malayalam cinema needs good stories, talented actors and actresses, and good music so that films succeed. Several new faces like Prithviraj, Jishnu, Jaya Soorya and Siddharth have come up. So have many new heroines. Now, it is up to the producers and directors to come up with good stories and new themes for a box office success. It will depend on the director's hard work.
Srinivasan K
Thiruvananthapuram
* * *
Whither progress?
Quality does not match quantity where Malayalam films are concerned The number of films that are produced in recent years have increased by leaps and bounds. Had any of these filmmakers thought about the outcome, especially moral values? In the past, films had a great impact on the progress of the country, but now it is working the other way round. So, it is time to rethink.
Anoob F
By email
* * *
Innovate or die
The main reason is due to the influence of television. People have become lazy, preferring their favourite programmes to films. Also, the tastes of Malayali viewers seem to have changed. They are no longer interested in the old themes. I think we should emulate the Tamil industry where they always try something innovative, be it in the theme, acting or in other fields. Recent hits like `Boys', `Kadhal kondein' and `Pithamahan' stand as example. It is high time our filmmakers pulled up their socks and came up with something innovative.
Arun M
Thiruvananthapuram
* * *
At the crossroads
Keralites as a people are at cultural crossroads. We are aware of the need to hold on to our value systems but we also don't want to be left behind in the race of modernisation. Our cinema reflects this very conflict. An average Malayali cannot seem to accept the present crop of movies not just because they lack a strong storyline. The fact is they cannot identify themselves with any of the characters in the movies. We have set ourselves very high standards with all the good old movies in the past. Cable television is also a big set-back for the big screen. With so many movies playing on television these days, everybody prefers to wait for movies to be shown on TV. Good movies will definitely make us come to the theatres. So, script writers have to get busy.
Asha P. Pillai
By email
* * *
Modernise theatres
There are still people who will go to theatres for good movies. Theatre owners have to improve and maintain their theatres. Even now after so many decades, the concept of theatres hasn't changed except for a few improvements like airconditioning and digital stereo sound systems. They should also be made cultural centres, with libraries and grand restaurants.
B. Balachandran
Thiruvananthapuram
* * *
Change the theme
The Malayalam film industry is a facing serious crisis due to recent failures of big budget films during the Ramzan season. Most of them were box office flops. Similar themes may be one reason for this. Most people approach theatres to relieve the tension they face in day-to-day life. But they face more tedium in theatres. Relevant themes will always succeed.
Divya Rajeev
By email
* * *
Stick to budget
One of the primary reasons for the box office failures has been rising expense involved in watching films in theatres. Producers must plan movies with a budget based on the theme and the audience it caters to.
To help the industry survive, the Government should give tax concessions for entertainment, electricity, building, advertisements, so that theatres are well-maintained. Law enforcement agencies should check on piracy and local transmission, especially in sub-centres. More important, the public should refrain from watching pirated copies of films.
Donald D'Cruz
Kollam
* * *
Needed: quality cinema
A large number of Malayalam films flop because of the `formula' theory - films based on certain `musts' irrespective of the story line. Unfortunately, the formula has not transformed according to changing aspirations of society and no filmmaker had dared to cross the Rubicon. Even good stories are victims of such inflexible `masala' approach. Cinemas continue to be the most dominating factor in the entertainment field and through a judicious blend of social relevance and technological support, good filmmakers can still recapture the diminishing sheen of Malayalam cinemas. Without quality cinema, the industry cannot hope to survive.
Gopinathan K
Thiruvananthapuram
* * *
Star wars
There are many problems affecting the film industry in general. But the Malayalam film industry is facing a deeper crisis. Besides tired themes and jaded story lines, it is dominated by a few stars. With the facility to watch the films to suit one's taste at home, no wonder Malayalam films are losing their attraction.
A. Jacob Sahayam
Thiruvananthapuram
* * *
Value-addition
Undoubtedly, the competition faced by Malayalam filmmakers today is the umpteen television channels and VCD/DVDs flooding the video libraries. Although this is evident, the film industry has not been able to provide value-addition to the viewers compared to the small screen. It is high time that the theatres were upgraded by leveraging technology and introducing multiplexes, whereby theatres become happening places. This would give a new experience for the audience. Lack of effective marketing has to be addressed and the makers should take pains to carry out word-of-mouth marketing of their films. In the end, it is the artistic value of individual films that makes or breaks the industry.
Jayagovind C.V
Thiruvananthapuram
* * *
Learn from the past
I think that today's filmmakers should take a leaf out of the book of yesteryear filmmakers. They told good stories that could be enjoyed by the whole family. Films are now made with only profit in mind. The same hackneyed ideas are used over and over again. Naturally, filmgoers are responding by rejecting them.
Marian Thomas
By email
* * *
Wanted: a Shyamalan
Monotonous and dull themes should give way to more vibrant movies as Hollywood films do. We need someone like Manoj Shamalan to bring about a revival and to revolutionise our film industry.
Nizzar
Paravoor, Kollam
* * *
Curb video piracy
Video piracy has weakened the Malayalam film industry. Had the people discouraged its growth, cinema would definitely have thrived. The Government must take strong measures in this regard. Culprits should be severely dealt with.
Thomas T. Jacob
Kottarakara
* * *
Next issue
There is a strong argument in favour of schools starting and ending classes early each day. Much of the congestion on the roads has been blamed on the overlapping of school and office timings, making for the dreaded peak hour rush. It is also pointed out that early morning classes are beneficial for students in more ways than one, though office-going parents may find it a hassle. At present, only in selected schools do classes start before 9 a.m. and end before 3 p.m. Do you think all schools should adopt this schedule?
Please send your responses, to a maximum length of 300 words, marked `Peoplespeak', by post, by email or by hand so as to reach us not later than December 25. The postal address is, `The Hindu, Vallakkadavu, Thiruvananthapuram-695 008.' Responses by email (in plain text format) may be sent to: `tvmpeopespeak@thehindu.co.in'.
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