Kollywood director to give acting tips to jailbirds

Coimbatore: To find and hone acting skills of convict prisoners, central prison authorities in the city are planning to conduct prison theatre soon in association with ‘Pagaivanukku Arulvai’ movie director Anis.

Anis, who also has directed Thirumanam Ennum Nikkah, and his friend Vetri Duraisamy had launched prison theatre for convict prisoners of the Puzhal Central Prison in Chennai in 2016. “All the prisoners were having some skills. Some of them were good at singing, while some others were very good actors. We had identified around 30 prisoners there and trained them in acting. When they came out after serving their sentences, they were given an opportunity to act in my film ‘Pagaivanukku Arulvai’. They have sung songs too in the film, which will be released soon.”

Anis said the Coimbatore Central Prison was open to conduct prison theatre to identify acting skills among the convict prisoners. “After the release of my film, we are planning to start the programme for the prisoners here.”

G B Senthamaraikannan, superintendent, Coimbatore Central Prison, said presently a musical troop was functioning in the prison. “Its members were about to attend the first-grade keyboard and drums examination of Trinity College, London, in 2018, but it was not conducted because of various reasons. However, they are practicing daily on the prison premises.”

He said music and acting would provide hope to the convict prisoners and help them lead a good life after their release. “Once we start prison theatre, they will get chances to act in Tamil movies after their release.”