ninth Chennai International Film Festival naugurated

Globally celebrated filmmaker Shekhar Kapur was all praise for south Indian cinema on Wednesday, when he said even commercial movies in these parts come with a touch of reality. "But films are so generic in Mumbai," he said.

Speaking at the inauguration of the ninth Chennai International Film Festival (CIFF) at Woodlands theatre in Chennai, Shekhar Kapur said he admires southern movies. He said he was happy to take part in such an event, which celebrates cinema.

The event saw a large turn out of celebrities, film institute students, critics and movie buffs. There are 133 international films from 53 countries that are being screened between December 14 and 22.

There are 12 Tamil films in the competition section while there are nine Indian panorama movies. The inaugural event was attended by Tamil Nadu Information Minister K T Rajenthira Balaji and president of the South Indian Film Artistes' Association, R Sarathkumar.