The Film Employees Federation of South India (FEFSI) recently stirred up a controversial rule for Kollywood Industry. It dictates that only Tamil artists can be engaged in Tamil films. Another rule mandates that filming must exclusively take place in Tamil Nadu. A few more similar ridiculous restrictions were announced. While on the face of it, it sounds rubbish and idiotic, it also shows how regressive and irrelevant some of these associations are in a rapidly changing environment. Some artists were against directors like Maari Selvaraj (director of Maamanan), who largely uses the locals to play small roles in his film. This, he says, saves cost and also provides more authenticity to the script. Such issues seem to be the background for FEFSI coming up with such guidelines.
Imagine how damaging it would be if all states come up with similar guidelines. Will the Tamil artists get jobs outside Tamil Nadu? What if other films are not allowed to shoot in Tamil Nadu or worst case what if Tamil films are not allowed to release in other states or countries? This limitation could lead to creative stagnation that might impact the overall quality and innovation in Tamil cinema. If films face restrictions in terms of shooting and distribution outside the state, it could adversely affect box office revenues and the overall profitability of film projects. In such a scenario, questions arise about whether industry associations or government bodies would step in to compensate producers for their financial losses. The entire thought is regressive and against the most cherished PAN India film craze that has swept the nation.
At the same time, I read another article about the advances in the usage of high-end technologies in Cinema like deep fake, de-aging (what we saw in the recent edition of Indiana Jones), and creating a virtual actor based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) output. Yes, you heard it right. With advancements in technology, including AI-generated characters and deepfakes, the boundaries of filmmaking are continuously expanding. They allow filmmakers to bring back deceased actors or create entirely fictional characters without the constraints of real human limitations. It is rumored that Director Shankar is bringing back late actors Vivek and Nedumudi Venu on screen in Indian-2. This is in addition to exploring de-aging for the young Kamal Hassan character. It's also heard that Lokesh Kanagaraj may explore de-aging for the next Rajinikanth film. In the future, you may not require Rajinikanth himself to make a Rajinikanth film. Where is the question of ensuring jobs for small-time actors?
The idea of restricting actors to only act in films from a specific region seems impractical and limiting in today's globalized world and changing landscape of cinema and entertainment. In this context, the guidelines issued by FEFSI seem to ridicule themselves without knowing what is happening around the world. The entertainment industry, like many others, has experienced transformations due to automation and AI. AI has taken over most of the jobs already in some way or the other. Especially creative ones like Writing, Photography, Painting, Sketching and very soon Acting too. However, AI and technology also open up new avenues for creativity and storytelling, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in cinema.
Industry stakeholders and associations need to strike a balance between preserving local talent and embracing the advancements and opportunities that technology offers. As AI and other technologies continue to evolve, it becomes crucial for policymakers, industry professionals, and creative communities to have an ongoing dialogue about the impact and implications of these advancements. Finding a balance that respects local talent while embracing the opportunities of emerging technologies will be essential for the industry's growth and sustainability.
