The number of film studios in the State was on the decline and the film fraternity should come forward to set up more facilities as it would boost employment, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami said here on Sunday.
Inaugurating the MGR Centenary Studio constructed by the Film Employees Federation of South India (FEFSI) at Payyanur near here for, he said commercial and residential campuses were coming up in places that once housed studios. To arrest this trend, more studios should be opened not only in various parts of Chennai but also in various places across Tamil Nadu for creating more employment opportunities, he said.
He announced a financial assistance of ₹5 crore to the new studio, which is 110 feet-long, 100 feet-wide and 56 feet high.
The new film studios would also help the filmmakers shoot within the State and thereby bring down the cost of production, he noted.
The film awards that were due would be given away soon, he added.
In his speech, Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam expressed his happiness over the naming of the studio after AIADMK founder and former Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran.
Housing scheme
As for the request for providing housing for those deserving in the film industry, he said a scheme to benefit the film fraternity was being prepared.
Forest Minister Dindigul C. Sreenivasan, Information Minister Kadambur C. Raju, Rural Industries Minister P. Benjamin, Minister for Tamil Culture K. Pandiarajan, FEFSI president R.K. Selvamani and its office-bearers were also present.