LANDMARKS IN TAMIL CINEMA

1965 - K Balachander makes his directorial debut with the film Neerkumizhi, which was based on one of his plays.

1965 - L.V. Prasad establishes Prasad Studios which becomes one of the finest facilities in production and post-production in India.

1973 - The first cinemascope film in Tamil - Rajarajacholan is made.

1975 - Director K Balachander introduces a Bus Conductor-turned-actor aspirant, playing a character role in Apoorva Ragangal. Rajinikanth goes on to become the most bankable star in Tamil filmdom.

1976 - Illayaraja makes his debut as Music Director with the film Annakkili. This musician, who came from the small village of Pannaiyapuram, went on to become the most admired maestro in Tamil film music history.

1977 - Bharathirajaa's Padhinaaru Vayadhinile breaks convention, by taking the celluloid canvas out of the sets and into a village.

1985 - The first 3D film in Tamil Annai Bhoomi is made.

1986 - The first 70 mm Tamil film Maveeran is released.

1987 - Mani Ratnam's Nayagan (Based on the life of Mumbai underworld don Varadaraja Mudaliar) brings out what many consider the most powerful histrionic performance by Kamal Hassan. This National award-winning film also set new standards in set design and erection.

1992 - Mani Ratnam's Roja features a refreshingly different soundtrack and songs by debutante A R Rahman. Rahman has since emerged as arguably the best Music Director in the country.

1997 - AVM celebrates its golden jubilee with the release of the broadway-styled musical Minsara Kanavu.

1998 - Director Shankar's film Jeans (starring Miss World Aishwarya Rai) sets a formidable benchmark by shooting one song at the seven wonders of the world. The film also brought in the trend of slick computer graphic-aided picturisation.

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