Chief Minister opens country’s tallest film studio in MGR’s memory

“I am happy in knowing that MGR memorial film studio is the tallest of all the film studios in the entire country”, said Palaniswami, after inaugurating the studio. The studio is 110 feet long, 100 feet wide and 56 feet tall.

The building was constructed by Film Employees Federation of South India (FEFSI) at the cost of Rs 5 crore. State government had earlier allotted 65 acres of land for Kollywood and the film studio was constructed at 15 acres.

Palaniswami also said that former Chief Minister, MG Ramachandran (MGR) played a pivotal role in the formation of FEFSI in 1967 and after 50 years of its formation, FEFSI had honoured MGR back by naming the film studio after him. “FEFSI had created record by building the film studio by collecting funds from its own cultural program and other affiliated organisations,” said Palaniswami. 

Palaniswami further said that two of the greatest leaders of the party, MGR and former Chief Minister, J Jayalalithaa, came from Kollywood. They ruled the state for 26 years in an exceptional manner and the ruling government will always standby and support the industry. 

Towards the end of his address, Palaniswami announced a donation of Rs 5 crore for another film studio to be constructed, adjacent to the MGR centenary film studio, to be named after J Jayalalithaa. 

Throughout his address Palaniswami quoted the famous lyrics in the movies of MGR and stressed on the importance of working class. The customary story of Palaniswami stressed on the importance of unity among the film workers. 

Deputy Chief Minister, O Panneerselvam, in his address, elaborated on the contributions by MGR and Jayalalithaa towards developing Tamil cinema. “Since 2011 Jayalalithaa government had been contributing significantly for the international film festival. To save Kollywood Jayalalithaa curbed pirated DVDs with iron hand,” said Panneerselvam. 

He also said that by naming the film studio after MGR not just Tamil cinema is honoured but the entire country is honoured. “MGR stood as a king in the heart of Tamil people and Tamil cinema had rightly honoured him by naming the studio after him,” he added.