Expectation and excitement is building in Chennai over the Indian cinema centenary celebrations which begins on 21st September. The four day grand celebrations is organized by South Indian Film Chamber Of Commerce with the help of the state government. The whole gamut of film fraternity are expected to  come together for this event. “This is a proud movement for us to celebrate Indian cinema centenary in Chennai city. I am expecting the event eagerly” says Dhananjayan, a film buff and Chief-south, Disney-UTV.

In fact Chennai, the hub of south Indian cinema industry, has already began the celebrations.  As a part of the celebrations, landmark films from all the South Indian languages were screened. The daily screenings will continue till 24th, September. All together 36 films including M.G.R’s  Adimai pen, Rikshakaran and Sivaji Ganeshan’s Karnan and Pasamalar will be screened.  Abirami, Satyam, Woodlands and several other movie halls will be the venue for these movies. Movie buffs can see the movies for free.

“It will be a great event as it will bring all the stars and stalwarts of South Indian cinema under one roof” says Keeyaar,  Producer, director and newly elected president of Cinema Producers council. He also feels this centenary function should have been celebrated  in the North and some how they missed it. “But South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce, one of the oldest cinema bodies in the country,  has taken the initiative to  organize this event” says Keeyaar.

The centenary celebrations will be inaugurated by Tamil Nadu chief minister J.Jayalalitha at a gala funton  to held in  Nehru indoor stadium, Chennai. Representatives from all the four film industries of South India will be participating in the event. The celebrities and technicians from Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil and Kannada film industry will be participating in the celebrations. Stalwarts like K.Balachandar, Rajnikanth and  Kamal Hassan  are also expected to attend. Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan is also expected.

“This event will be a testimony to our national integration ” says Keeyaar. The centenary celebrations has excited everybody. But noted film historian Theodre Baskaran voices a different opinion. ” Indian cinema generally means Hindi cinema, and it is projected as such. But actually first Tamil Movie, a silent one,  named  Keechagavatham was made in 1916″ says Theodre Baskaran.

He also laments that pioneers like R.Nataraja Mudhaliar who single handedly made Keechagavatham, A.N.narayanan, who created the first sound studio and veteran director K.Ramnath who made movies like Ezai padum paadu and Marmayogi are forgotten. The reason for such neglect is lack of appreciation for good cinema and to remedy this, films must be taught as a subject in colleges like music and painting ” says Theodore Baskaran.

The celebrations is a joint effect. “The event will be volunteered by Tamil Film Producers Association, Federation of Tamil Nadu distributors, Tamil Nadu Theater Owners Association, the Association of South Indian actor, Tamil Nadu Directors Association and South Indian Federation of Film Workers Association,”  the Organiser and President of South Indian Film Chamber Of Commerce, kalyan had earlier said.

Valedictory function is scheduled on September 24th. President Pranab Mukherjee will be the Chief Guest of the function . The event will also be attended by Tamil Nadu Governor Rossaiah, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

As a part of function cultural events will also be held on each day. Stars will add glamour to the program.