In the recent years, we have seen very few Tamil films that have been critically acclaimed for its film craft and that can actually stand out, competing with the world cinema. I completely disagree with the fact that Tamil audience does not encourage a good film and they look out for commercial aspects alone. Times have changed when people looked at cinema only as an entertainment platform. It has now become a part and parcel of every Tamilian's life which is very well evident from countless honest reviews on the film making aspects in various social networks and media.

In what way this new perspective has brought in any change in the Tamil film industry? Though we see a very few directors who actually stretch themselves out in giving a good film keeping apart the commercial aspects alone, a large number of directors are rather driven by the rules and pressure in all other ways that has now become a hurdle to their expanding creative abilities. Cinema is a medium of communication that can take up any visual form in telling a story of any place or person that need not stick to the origin of the country from which it is made alone. If that was the case, we would not have witnessed some of the master pieces in world cinema which go beyond boundaries and record the life of people from different walks. Though a Tamil industry director may want to create a wonder, he will have to think of the current tax exemption rules that his producer will have to remind him while making the film. He has to keep himself to the limits or else he may not get his next piece of cake. 

I will never say that Tax exemption rules alone decide the fate of a good cinema. But it does matter to an extent when it comes to a small budget film. And if a director and producer still want to go beyond all this and make a good film, it undergoes a lot of threat in the regional censor board. A recent example is Aaranya Kaandam. It’s very disappointing to know that the film has suffered almost 52 cuts overall, that got an 'A' certificate. Ironically, the same film has won the Grand Jury Award for Best Film in the South Asian International Film Festival. Though such films after going through a lot of agony give us a sense of pride and confidence, still it sends fear waves inside for the budding film makers who will have to edit the film in their mind, according to censor board and tax exemption rules, before they could even pen down on paper.

If anyone claims that such films pose a threat to the Tamil culture, then how come Bollywood films which enjoy more liberty in film making can run in a Tamil town? Recently released "That girl in yellow boots" is one such Hindi film, which made me think! A film like TGYB can be made and released in Tamil without any hurdles, may be only after some 20 years from now. Tamil audience is highly expecting a change in the current film trend. They are definitely craving for "out-of-box" films that may quench their thirst. But is it really possible in the current situation? All these days, a director had to keep the budget and his story in his mind. But now he is forced to remember the tax exemption rules and the regional censor board in mind before he can even think of making a film. 

A day should come in future, where Cinema is also seen as an art that will take a country to the world gallery, a film maker is given his prime rights and liberty of making a good film.