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In the cause of films
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An avid Tamil film watcher, Tan Sri Khalil Yaakob, the Minister for Information, Malaysia, who was in the city recently, discusses the steps taken by his Government in helping the Tamil film industry. An interview...
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TAN SRI Khalil Yaakob is a good singer, enjoys dancing and regularly watches Tamil films. Malaysia's Minister for Information, he is perhaps the right man to talk about several issues affecting the Tamil film industry. Yaakob met A. R. Rahman and spent an hour to learn more about music and is striving hard to develop the film industry in Malaysia.
He is also trying to enforce stringent laws to curb video piracy in his country.
Tan Sri Khalil Yaakob was felicitated by the Tamil Film Producers' Council during his recent visit to the city. Excerpts of an interview.
Tell us about the film industry in Malaysia.
In the past few years, the Malaysian film industry has deteriorated. So, we are unable to produce many films. Two years ago, only seven movies were released. But things are improving and this year, I expect at least 20 movies to be released. We have studied the problems — lack of good scripts and difficulty in marketing the films.
To produce more box-office hits, we have decided to seek help from outside. This means we can get experienced people to help in production, direction, script writing and cinematography. In fact, we are looking at South India for help.
What about the actors in your country?
We have a lot of talented actors. But they cannot make it big, like the stars here. Earlier, there were a couple of heroes who were doing really well. But now with younger actors coming to the forefront, things are looking up. If they get good films, we will be able to boost their image and try to put them on a par with some of the popular foreign stars, whose movies are sold in Malaysia.
Does the electronic medium enjoy enough freedom?
In fact, the main reason behind creating the multimedia concept is to have a liberal attitude. Our outlook and activities should have a global touch.
What about censorship?
Yes, we do have censorship in our country. It is under the Ministry of Home Affairs. We have a group of people appointed by the Government from various fields to look into censorship of television programmes and films.
Video piracy is killing the Tamil film industry. What are the steps taken by your Government to check the menace?
We have a department in the Ministry of Domestic Affairs, which has been authorised by the Cabinet to check piracy.
The department comprises several senior officials, who go around the country to seize pirated cassettes and films. We also ensure that outlets selling CDs, VCDs and cassettes are licensed.
We understand that there are only four replication units in Malaysia, which indulge in this crime. L. Suresh, vice-president, the Film Federation of India has also appealed to you. What is your reaction?
We would like to sell only originals. Most of the original cassettes are imported, but we do not mind. The local dealers can have an arrangement with persons who have the licence to produce original CDs.
As long as they are licensed and the Government is fully aware of their existence, it's fine. We are still trying will look into all aspects of video piracy and trying to take necessary action.
Who are your favourite Tamil stars?
I like to watch films of Rajnikanth, Kamal Hassan, Sarath Kumar and younger actors such as Madhavan, Vijay and Ajit. Among the actresses, I like Meena, Roja, Rambha and Jyothika. I feel that Tamil movies are realistic.
How many Tamil films are screened in Malaysia annually?
I do not know the number but we have special theatres where Tamil films are shown. We have one or two Tamil films telecast every week on our official TV network too.
Director K. Balachander is on one of your committees, which is going to produce movies in Tamil as well as Malay. Can you elaborate?
K. Balachander is the invitee member of EVIAP (Entertainment Village International Advisory Panel), and with his experience he can contribute towards the development and expansion of the movie industry in Malaysia. We hope to learn the latest techniques in film production from him.
His son-in-law, Kandaswamy has been actively interacting with the Malaysian Government on this front. He is helping create a cultural atmosphere, which will benefit both the countries.
The most important thing that we need to learn is script writing. We have a centralised fund `FINAS', the Film Industry Agency. The FINAS officials can distribute funds for joint productions and I welcome Tamil producers to make use of it.
Shooting in foreign locations has become a part of Tamil films today. How does your Government propose to help producers looking at Malaysia as a possible location for their films?
We are making all the necessary arrangements for producers to shoot in Malaysia. We have created a committee under the Ministry of Culture, a one-stop-agency which can help producers with everything — immigration, customs, props, getting actors and actresses and the clearance to shoot films in Malaysia.
The first Tamil film, which is to be shot entirely in Malaysia, is "Senior Junior" with Mammootty in the lead.
S. R. ASHOK KUMAR
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