Kochi is a dream destination for the Malayalam cinema because the city raises the hopes and aspirations of many who want to make a mark on the silver screen, says Sandra Thomas, film producer and CEO Sandra Thomas Productions, Little Hearts production house and Nilavulla Rathri.
How did Kochi become the epicenter of the film industry Malayalam?
The geographical location of the city is its main advantage compared to Thiruvananthapuram or other region. It is easily accessible from anywhere in the state of railway, road or air. Kochi has the best of pre -production studies in Malayalam cinema. Several stories we see in the movies are happening in Kochi and its edge. The city itself is the main character in many films. Film bodies in the film industry in Malayalam are located in Kochi. These include the Keral Film Chamber, the Keral Film Film Association, the United Organization of Keral, the Association of Malaysian Film Artists and the Federation of Film Staff in Kerala. About 80% of film production work happens in Kochi.
What are the factors that helped Kochi assume the brand that it is the capital of cinematography in Kerala?
As a producer, the city offers me several options as soon as I decide to bank the film. Different options available in front of me within different film production departments help keep the overall budget under control. The city and its suburbs offer the perfect landscape to place stories. The narrators come here from different places to tell their ideas. Their dreams are shaped and created in the city.
For obstacles that are facing a film in the city today?
The problem is to obtain permission to shoot in government institutions. Some authorities have introduced a limitation of filming the film in their premises. The rent collected for filming a film in such institutions also passed through the roof. Such curbs will affect the growing status of the city as a popular place for film production.
Published – 10 September 2025 02:29
