VISITOR COLUMN

Cinema is a medium which I suppose one of the best teachers in the modern times. It delivers message which is utter circuitous and the desired yield is reached in the expense of the viewer’s subtle mind. Regular filmmaking has neither disappointed in whole nor succumbed to its apparent death even when technology seems to take the front seat in the growing industry. Being an amateur film maker myself, I believe cinema is totally dual in nature. It perceives the way you want to watch it. A regular film buff may only watch it and understand the story line and the performance of the actors but the film makers are the ones who will know the hardship of putting up such cinematography excellence and setting artistic approaches which are breathtaking.
 

The reason the article starts off with cinema is because, importance is never given to the liberty of the filmmakers. They are often mended by the current needs and production customary which often leads to a clichéd set up. Yes, without censorship, it may be inappropriate for a certain section of viewers. However the fear has taken its toll to such a height that even the smallest glitch in a dialogue or a specific scene being misinterpreted by the viewers is to be blamed upon the filmmaker. Hence, creativity is also seen to be not given due importance. Inam has also faced the same predicament. Not even within a few days of release, due to multiple reasons, the film was pulled out of theatres. Hence the question arises, why ban a film after it was certified fine by the censor board? After the ban, is there any way the film will be released?
 

Honestly speaking, I am a big fan of Santosh Sivan. His surreal cinematography works have the ability to give soul to the scene and is simply outstanding. Ceylon (Inam) premiered in the coveted 2013 Busan International Film Festival, a victory indeed for Tamil cinema. A hard hitting subject that is sensitive yet demands a look into; Sivan’s sheer intelligence was visible even in the trailer of the film itself. Unfortunately, the short run of the film has halted the director’s message in the film to reach and a good film washed away just like that. Here my question is, why was the film not given a say in the judgment to uphold their point of view? Nevertheless, will the film get released at least in selected cinemas? 
 

Inam is just one needle in the haystack. Many films have faced similar wrath with some managed to release and some lost in the oblivion. It is inhibiting the filmmakers to try something off the normal path and it is not good for the cinema industry in whole. The production cost incurred will never be covered if it was never given an opportunity to run. There will be many films released in the box office and gain enough fame and collections, yet those films that are distinctive and path breaking in nature are often in the roads to awards and recognition. Therefore, for the industry to grow, steps should be taken to nurture these films which are competing with the big guns of commercial cinema. 
 

Regrettably, audiences are partially to be blamed for not being open enough to take a film as a work of fiction and killing of these creative attempts. A film regardless of its theme and content when passed by the censor board should be released, so that cinema can grow together with the audience and their open mindset. It will educate if you can accept. My humble request to the readers, don’t always watch films that you would like to see, watch films that is worth a watch sometimes. It will change your perspective on cinema.