Balu Mahendra's last words

He made his on-screen debut just last year, with Thalaimuraigal. But Balu Mahendra ��� who passed away yesterday ��� will be best remembered for his acclaimed films like Moondram Pirai and Azhiyadha Kolangal. The ace director, who has worked with the likes of Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan on some unforgettable films, leaves behind a wealth of talent, thanks to his students who���re leading directors now, and many memories.
Balu Mahendra's unfulfilled dream!
In what was probably his last interview to the media, Balu Mahendra railed against plagiarism, made a case for setting up a film archive in the state, and said he couldn���t care less for film certification. Here are some highlights from that exclusive interview to Timesof India, which was published on January 13, 2014...
*I���ve been talking about having a film archive for Tamil Nadu for the past three years. People are still not keen on the idea, even after I suggested that let the government bear half the expenses.
*I don���t think audiences have changed. If they had, they will not be talking about Moondram Pirai today. They are still seeing the film when it comes on TV and not only that, they are telling their children to see it.
*I���m not young any more, and there are so many things that I have to pass on to the younger generation, and that was a very strong reason in making Thalaimuraigal.
*A story that is taken out of life and handled by a filmmaker who has a total command over his medium, and doesn���t make any compromise whatsoever, and is genuinely simple, and narrated with honesty, gives the possibility of good cinema. I say ���possible��� because adding all these things might not always result in good cinema.
*Don���t copy but be inspired by your elders. If you want to copy a material, get the permission from the creator and always acknowledge the fact.
*If anybody says there is something in Balu Mahendra���s film, that something is my closeness to literature. Literature is a must for a film person.
*I only teach my students film language. I cannot teach them creativity. That, they learn by reading literature, watching good films and talking about them.
Check out the complete interview here