CHENNAI: Tamil Film Producers Council president Ramanarayanan has thanked Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi for the measures announced for the film industry in the State Budget.

These include Rs. 95 lakh for the film `Periyar' and an offer of Rs.10 lakh for dubbing the English film `Ambedkar' into Tamil.

He welcomed the announcement renaming the Film and Television Institute after M.G. Ramachandran; reduction in charges for filming on government property and waiver of entertainment tax for films with Tamil names.

Reduction hailed

AVM. Saravanan of the Madras City Cine Studio's Association welcomed the reduction in location hire charges for film shooting and exemption from entertainment tax for films titled in Tamil.

``Even though no demands were placed before him our problems have received his attention and he has provided relief with personal affection."

"No theatre

closure"

Chennai City Film Exhibitors Association president Abirami Ramanathan said the exemptions would lead to production of more films resulting in more jobs for technicians.

New producers would enter the fray. As film production increases, theatres would not be closed due to non-availability of films.

``The Chief Minister has lit a lamp to bring cheer to lakhs of families in the Tamil film industry,'' he added.

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