For Malayalam cinema, Kochi’s chief advantage is its geographical positioning: producer Sandra Thomas

Kochi is a dream destination for Malayalam cinema as the city nurtures the hopes and aspirations of many who want to make a mark on the silver screen, says Sandra Thomas, film producer and managing director of Sandra Thomas Productions, the production house behind the movies Little Hearts and Nalla Nilavulla Rathri.

How did Kochi become the epicentre of Malayalam film industry?

The geographical positioning of the city is its main advantage compared to Thiruvananthapuram or any other region. It’s easily accessible from anywhere in the State by rail, road, or air. Kochi has the best of pre- and post-production studios in Malayalam cinema. Several stories that we see in movies happen in Kochi and its outskirts. The city itself is a major character in many films. The film bodies in the Malayalam film industry are based in Kochi. They include the Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce, Kerala Film Producers’ Association, Film Exhibitors’ United Organisation of Kerala, Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes, and the Film Employees Federation of Kerala. Around 80% of film production work is happening in Kochi.

What are the factors that helped Kochi assume the tag of being the cinema capital of Kerala?

As a producer, the city offers me several possibilities once I decide to bankroll a movie. The various options available before me under various film production departments help in keeping the overall budget in control. The city and its suburbs offer a perfect landscape for placing stories. The storytellers come here from various places to narrate their ideas. Their dreams are moulded and made into a reality in the city.

On the hurdles faced in filmmaking in the city nowadays?

Getting permission to shoot in government institutions remains an issue. Some authorities had placed restrictions on film shooting on their premises. The rent being collected for film shooting in such institutions has also gone over the roof. Such curbs will impact the growing status of the city as a favourite spot for film production.