SOUTH INDIAN FILM INDUSTRY : The South Indian film industry defines the four major film cultures of South India, the Kannada, the Malayalam, the Tamil and the Telugu film industries as a single entity. They are based in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi and Bangalore. Although developed independently for a long period of time, gross exchange of film performers and technicians as well as globalisation helped to shape this new identity, which competes with other film industries in the world. The largest sections are the Tamil and Telugu film industries; currently hold 90% of all film revenues in South India. The industry is regulated by the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce. Early beginnings during the Madras Presidency : In 1897, a European exhibitor first screened a selection of silent short films at the Victoria Public Hall in Madras. The films all featured non-fictional subjects; they were mostly photographed records of day-to-day events. In Madras (present-day Chennai), the Electric Theatre was established for the screening of silent films. It was a favourite haunt of the British community in Madras. The theatre was shut down after a few years. This building is now part of a post office complex on Anna Salai (Mount Road). The Lyric Theatre was also built in the Mount Road area. This venue boasted a variety of events, including plays in English, Western classical music concerts, and ballroom dances. Silent films were also screened as an additional attraction. Swamikannu …
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