On Sunday, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami inaugurated ‘the country’s tallest film studio,’ named after former Chief Minister MG Ramachandran, at Paiyanur near Mahabalipuram.
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.
The MGR Centenary Film Studio is 56-foot high, 360 feet long and 100 feet, and was constructed on the land provided by the state government and with funds collected by the Federation of Film Employees Union of South India (FEFSI). Spread across 15 acres of land, the studio is said to be equipped with the latest technology, and is also built to accommodate films made by industries other than Kollywood.
Speaking at the event, Edappadi K Palaniswami said, “I am happy to inaugurate the studio named after Puratchi Thalaivar MGR. It is also the tallest film studio set up in the country.” He recalled that Tamil Nadu had been home to many film studios in the past which have since been turned into commercial and residential buildings, and added that directors of other language films could consider using the studio for their films. “The new film studio would be yet another location within the State that directors can use, thereby bringing down production costs,” Palaniswamy said.
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He then congratulated the employees of FEFSI for having made donations towards the construction of the studio, and assured the government’s support towards the construction of houses for FEFSI workers as per the labor law.
Later, responding to the request of FEFSI president K Selvamani for funds to establish an auditorium, Chief Minister Palaniswami declared that the government will offer Rs 5 crore towards setting it up.
According to sources, the MGR Centenary Film Studio currently houses the sets of a railway station and an airport.