Filmmaker Alphonse Puthren has put forward a unique proposal aimed at reshaping cinema education in Tamil Nadu. In a Facebook post addressed to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay, the director requested the establishment of a new film institute that would teach students all 24 recognised crafts of filmmaking, arguing that most existing institutions focus only on a handful of disciplines.
Alphonse Puthren pitches a broader vision for film education
Puthren, who made his directorial debut with the Malayalam hit Neram before earning widespread acclaim with Premam, has often used social media to share his thoughts on cinema and the creative process. This time, his focus shifted from filmmaking to film education, as he called for an institution that could provide aspiring filmmakers with a complete understanding of every department involved in making a film.
His Facebook post read, “One Request to Chief Minister Vijay Joseph sir. Please start a Brand New Film Institute that teaches students all the 24 Crafts. All institutions teach 4 – 5 Crafts only. Thank you CM sir.”
While Puthren did not elaborate on the curriculum, his reference to the 24 crafts broadly points to the many specialised disciplines that come together in filmmaking. These typically include direction, screenplay writing, cinematography, editing, sound design, music, production design, costume design, makeup, visual effects, production management and several other technical and creative departments. His suggestion reflects the growing need for multidisciplinary training as filmmaking becomes increasingly collaborative and technology driven.
A proposal rooted in cinema and collaboration
Puthren’s appeal also carries an interesting connection to Chief Minister Joseph Vijay. Years ago, the filmmaker had reportedly planned a project featuring Vijay’s son, Sanjay. However, Sanjay eventually decided to pursue filmmaking from behind the camera instead of stepping into acting. During the promotions of Leo, Vijay himself spoke about his son’s preference for direction, revealing that Puthren had once approached him for a film. The anecdote highlighted the mutual respect shared between the filmmaker and the actor, making the latest appeal all the more noteworthy.
The proposal arrives at a time when conversations around film education are evolving alongside rapid changes in filmmaking technology. With digital production, virtual filmmaking and advanced post-production techniques becoming increasingly integral to cinema, comprehensive training across multiple departments has become more relevant than ever. Puthren’s suggestion envisions an institution where aspiring filmmakers gain a holistic understanding of the medium rather than specialising too early in a single discipline.
On the professional front, the director is preparing for Vijayam, which reunites him with Nivin Pauly more than a decade after Premam became a cultural phenomenon across South India. The project has already generated considerable curiosity among fans eager to see the duo collaborate again following the mixed reception to Gold.
Whether the Tamil Nadu government chooses to act on the proposal remains to be seen. For now, Puthren’s appeal has sparked conversation about how cinema education can better equip the next generation of filmmakers with the skills needed to thrive in an industry that continues to evolve.
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