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Small screen, big hopes
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A special slot for film directors wishing to give small screen a shot is the focus of the new channel, Ttv
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WHAT HAPPENS when the big brother cannot curb the rising influence and reach of the younger sibling? He might try to change his ways. That's exactly what the Tamil film industry wallahs have done by launching a new channel, Ttv — Tamilthirai Television.
"And why not," quips director-actress-activist Revathi. "When everyone else can start a channel, why not we?"
For the couch potatoes it may mean life will get increasingly remote-controlled, but the top directors of the silver screen are excited about giving the small screen a shot.
"Besides being another creative outlet, Ttv is also an effort to curb piracy," says R.K. Selvamani, managing director of the channel. "Not just directors and producers, even cable operators are on the board of directors of this public limited company. This way we can ensure pirated copies of our films will not be telecast at least on the cable."
Being Kollywood's baby, the mainstay of this channel obviously has to be film-based programmes. Also lined up are serials and talk shows. "But what will give the channel that extra edge is the involvement of big names of the big screen," says Prakash, a Ttv programme executive.
"Though we have been around for a long time in the industry, we were apprehensive about entering people's living rooms. After weighing the pros and cons for two years, we are now ready for `lights, camera, action' on the small screen," says director S. A. Chandrasekhar.
Ttv has created a small and special Saturday segment (8.30 p.m.) to relay short films made by famous film directors, which was recently inaugurated at a function at the Residency Towers. Manobala's Manas Vision has been coordinating and producing the short films. Manas Vision proposes to feature 52 films by 52 directors in 52 weeks. Director-actor Manobala has roped in film makers such as Bharatirajaa, Revathi, Cheran and Vasu to make this slot the channel's pride. "My personal rapport with the industry and the interesting programme concept attracted many film makers. In fact, most directors seem to have been waiting for such an opportunity to make films that are not driven by commercial compulsions. For a change, the focus will shift from stars to directors — hence you have titles such as Revathi's `Ini', Cheran's `Nyabagam Varudhe' and Vasu's `Aaravadhu Arivu'."
Agrees Bharatirajaa, the man behind many hits, "I was carried away by the idea and I think my involvement in these short films may be more than in those usual three-hour commercial ventures." Just wait and watch the directors usher in change.
CHITRA SWAMINATHAN
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