Thangam Thenarasu, Minister of Finance, actor Kamal Haasan, Member of Parliament, A.C. Shanmugam, Chancellor, Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute University and Isari Ganesh, chancellor, Vels University, at the Inauguration of VELS Trade and Convention Centre at Chembarambakkam on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: B. VELANKANNI RAJ
Chennai has historically been a hub for pan-India film-making where movies in several languages have been made, actor and politician Kamal Hasan said here on Saturday.
Speaking at the inauguration of Vels Trade and Convention Centre, Vels Film City, and Vels Theatres on the outskirts of Chennai, Mr. Hasan said that pan-India movie-making started in Chennai and several movies in different languages were made here. Mumbai, he said, also had a big industry running, but they made movies in their languages alone. However, in Chennai, whether it was the AVM Studios or any other studio, any institution or film director, movies in several languages were made here and marketed in the respective regions.
Recalling an episode from his past when he wondered why film studios could not have multiple shooting floors, Mr. Hasan said that by adding 20 indoor shooting studios, Vels Film City could easily be one of the largest such facility in Asia. He urged Kushmitha Ganesh, film producer and Vice President, Vels Group of Companies, to visit American studios, study them and try to replicate their innovations here.
Thangam Thennarasu, Tamil Nadu Finance Minister, said initiatives such as these go a long way in producing employment opportunities for people in the State.
A.C. Shanmugam, Founder Chancellor, Dr. MGR Educational and Research Institute, said that at a time when film studios were being shut across the country, opening a film city to facilitate film shooting was indeed praiseworthy.
Vels Trade and Convention Centre in Chembarambakkam has four halls each measuring over 5,600 square metres that can accommodate up to 20,000 guests at a time and provide parking for nearly 6,000 vehicles. Vels Film City has 20 advanced shooting studios and a sprawling open space for outdoor concerts and other events. Vels Theatres has a six-screen multiplex with a dedicated food court. The property was earlier known as EVP Film City.
Ishari K. Ganesh, Founder and Chancellor, Vels University, and Kushmitha Ganesh, Vice President, Vels Group of Companies, spoke.
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Published – December 14, 2025 12:04 am IST
