Chalo Chennai, says Kamal Haasan (South snippets)

CHENNAI - After successfully holding an international screenwriting workshop here, acclaimed actor-director Kamal Haasan now plans to produce, direct and act in some short films - based on the Tamil Nadu capital.

“My whole life revolves around Chennai. I can never forget those moments I spent in Kodambakkam and AVM Studios. I am surprised to see the old Chennai onscreen,” Kamal Haasan told reporters after announcing his new venture.

“Can we imagine the sight of chariot hurtling down the Mount Road and people walking leisurely on the stretch? Our attempt is not towards making some money, it is recording the historic memory of Chennai,” said Kamal Haasan, who is known for his experiments on screen.

Stating that he would wield the megaphone for one of the short films, Kamal Hassan said: “From over 250 participants of the Chennai Screenwriting Workshop, we would handpick the works of 30. That would be added into short films.”

Besides Kamal, veteran film maker and director of L.V. Prasad Film and TV Academy V. Hariharan would choose the scripts.

The initiative was inaugurated by acclaimed French director and Oscar winner Jean Claude Carriere, who recalled his association with Chennai.

“For me India is South. It is the land where strongest tradition of arts exists,” said Carrierre, who has penned the script for Kamal Haasan’s “Marudhanayagam”, which never took off.

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Sarath Kumar elected unopposed to film body

Most of the existing office-bearers of South Indian Artistes’ Association (SIAA), including president Sarath Kumar, were unanimously elected Friday.

This is for the first time in 57 years that the SIAA members have been elected unopposed. Sarath, who has been general secretary for six times, is the 14th president of the key body of Kollywood. This is his second tenure in a row.

Radharavi will serve as general secretary for the second time. Vagai Chandrasekar replaced Kalai as treasurer, who is now the executive committee member of the association. Manorama and Vijaykumar were elected as vice-presidents. Other executive members include Sathyaraj, Murali, Charlie, Chinni Jayanth, Mayilsami and Mumtaz.

Speaking being elected to the post, Sarath said his primary objective was to start the renovation and expansion plans of the association. He said a new building would be constructed which would house a gym, a conference hall and an administrative block.

The new president said he would meet Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi along with other office bearers to put forth certain demands.