Malaysian Tamil cinema gets a lift in profile in India.

APPALAM, which tells about the Malaysian Indian society, culture and traditions has bagged the best film at the inaugural Malaysian Indian Film Festival which was held in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India recently.

The film was among 10 Malaysian Tamil films which were selected and screened in the Sri Dewi preview theatre in conjunction with the festival organised jointly by MIC Youth and South Indian Film Artistes Association (SIFAA) between Jan 9 to 11.

A three-member jury led by Tamil Nadu film director Manobala, comedian Charlie and compere Fatimah Babu had been entrusted to choose the best film, best actor, best actress, best director, best cinematographer, sound designer and two jury awards.

Good job: Sarath Kumar (white shirt) presenting Afdlin Shauki (in the shawl) the best film award for the director’s Appalam movie at the Malaysian Indian Film Festival.

The Appalam movie, filled with issues of love, determination and responsibility and brings forth the relationship of a father and daughter, was directed by Afdlin Shauki.

MIC deputy president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam and SIFAA president Sarath Kumar presented the trophy to Afdlin in an elaborate closing ceremony at GRT Convention centre in Chennai.

The best actor award went to Sasi Tharan for his role in Manjari and Aathma while Jasmine Michael received the best actress award for her role in Yantra and Manjari.

The other winners were V. Ganesan (director of photography), V. Nagaraj (best director award for Uruvam) while Aandal film and sound engineer Mansher Singh received the Jury Award.

Two Malaysians – veteran actor Sivaji Raja, 71, who had acted in the first Malaysian Tamil film Rathapei in 1968 (filmed in India), and Suhan Panchatcharam who had produced Tamil and Malay films in the 1980s, were recognised for their contributions to the Malaysian Tamil Film industry.

The festival, which was held for the first time in Chennai, did not generate the anticipated buzz.

But it has made many realise that Tamil films are being produced in Malaysia.

Many who came to watch the 10 Malaysian Tamil movies including, Undercover Rascals, Manjari, Uttracha Kali and Appalam, said that they were impressed with the storylines and acting. MIC Youth chief T. Mohan said the festival was organised to provide a platform to recognise Malaysian talent and to market films in India for added revenue.

He said the idea of a film festival in Chennai was mooted by Sarath Kumar during his visit to Malaysia last May.

“There was also a discussion between Sarath and the Malaysian film personalities, where issues and problems were frankly discussed,” he said.

Mohan said the Malaysian Indian film industry is still small compared to the film industry in Tamil Nadu.

“A majority of the Tamil movies here were made on a shoe-string budget except for a few like Manjari and Appalam (done with a bigger budget).

“Most theatres (in Malaysia) prefer to screen Tamil films produced in India and only one or two local Tamil movies are released in theatres,” he said.

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