{
  "id": 3093353,
  "title": "From celluloid to digital: the changing face of Chennai’s cinema industry",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/from-celluloid-to-digital-the-changing-face-of-chennais-cinema",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-24T19:10:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/from-celluloid-to-digital-the-changing-face-of-chennais-cinema-industry/article71383278.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Chennai cinema industry has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past eight decades. In 1942, the film En Manaivi depicted a Kodambakkam railway station surrounded by nature, a stark contrast to the bustling hub it is today. The AVM studio, established by A.V. Meiyappan on a 10-acre plot that was once a tannery, laid the foundation for what is now known as Kollywood. Meiyappan's innovative spirit led him to experiment with post-synchronisation and introduce the U.S.-made Mitchell 35 mm camera, a technology that has since evolved significantly.\n\nFilm production techniques have drastically changed, from shooting vast quantities of film and making extensive cuts to embrace digital technology. The transition from celluloid to digital has streamlined the filmmaking process, allowing for multiple takes and experimentation. Cinematographers have benefited from advancements in camera technology, such as the Arriflex 2C and 2BV, which could shoot up to 48 frames per second, and the more advanced Arrri 435, with a versatile viewfinder.\n\nThe logistics of transporting film reels across the state for screenings have also been revolutionized by digital technology. Filmmakers can now deliver films in file format, providing cinemas with the flexibility to screen films with impressive sound effects and catering to modern audience preferences. Cinema halls have evolved into one-stop destinations, offering a variety of amenities and online ticket booking systems, transforming the traditional experience of watching a film from start to finish.",
  "summary": "Over 84 years, Kodambakkam, the heart of Tamil cinema, has changed beyond recognition, and so has the Tamil film world. Surviving all odds, cinemas have evolved from a single projector and four intervals to the IMAX of today, while filmmaking has moved on from the expensive process of shooting on celluloid to embracing digital technology",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "Romance, longing, life, and cinema on Chennai’s beach",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/romance-longing-life-and-cinema-on-chennais-beach",
        "published": "2026-08-24T19:14:16.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}