THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Narain- Meera Nandan starrer Angane Thanne Nethave Anchettennam Pinnale which will release next Friday could be a low budget movie that still managed to attain the visual quality of some of the best Malayalam movies, thanks to a recent overhaul the state-run Chitranjali studio has undergone.
The makeover has enabled filmmakers to take up their work in some of the best equipment available in country while enjoying subsidies that help them cut down on budget. For instance, the film directed by Ajith Poojapura did colour correction during editing through cutting edge Baselight 2 software at the editing suit which was added equipment at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore.
“While it will cost Rs 4 lakh to take up colour correction with this equipment anywhere in the country, we got it done at half the cost at Chitranjali,” said Mr Ajith. “Some filmmakers do colour correction using softwares such as Da Vinci almost at same cost. We get better facilities here.” Under Chitranjali’s package, filmmakers who use the facilities get a subsidy of around Rs 5 lakh.
Chitranjali has also set up a green matte facility, one of the best of its kind in South Kerala, which many consider essential for a modern studio. Around 60 movies were shot in Chitranjali last year which resulted in its profit goes up to Rs 6 crore, almost three-times the figure for the previous year.
“We plan to upgrade the sound system in our studio and dubbing suites to Dolby Atmos using our increased revenue,” said studio managing director Deepa D. Nair. “We are also planning to procure removable and re-adjustable artificial sets that can be converted into temple, church or a railway station.”
A panel under director I.V. Sasi will advise the Kerala State Film Development Corporation on upgrading the 75-acre studio. During the recent upgradation, a Kerala film history museum was set up. It also has a film vault which holds valuable negatives of many old, landmark Malayalam movies.
