The biggest challenge that regional cinema is facing today is the dearth of qualified

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talent. Though film production kicked off in large numbers since mid last year, the industry is reeling under the pressure of inadequate manpower.

For instance, the Tamil film industry had no saleable female actors last year after prominent lead ladies including Asin, Trisha and Nayanathara shifted to Mumbai. Producers were haggling for dates with Anushka and Tamannah, who are doing films in almost all the four regional languages.

“Alchemy, south India’s first professional acting school, was started to solve this problem,” says Vijay Viswanathan, chief executive officer of the institute. The school conducts both short-term and long-term courses for aspirants who want to take up acting as a career and for those who pursue it as a hobby.

“The school was started at a time when bigger institutes were closing down. However, we did substantial groundwork, got our statistics right and expanded our network to stabilise ourselves,” he adds.

Over the last seven years, the school has trained 14 aspiring lead actors through the one-year course and over 4,000 people in its one-month programme. Alchemy’s alumni includes Siddharth Venugopal of Aanantha Thaandavam; Shruti Prakash of Indira Vizha and Naan Avan Illai–2; Anuya of Siva Manasula Sakthi, and Samaantha of Moscowin Cauveri (ready for release).

Professional training has become imperative in regional cinema because a handful of saleable stars virtually control the industry. Lead actors’ call sheets are considered security for film financing through the non-conventional routes at exorbitant usuries.

“However, the scenario is slowly changing because small-budget films with sensible story lines have started to takeover the industry in the last few years. Small producers cannot afford to pay the big stars and opt for fresh faces. But, untrained people tend to resort to ‘several takes’ and waste the crew’s time and hence money. An available pool of qualified talent will solve the problem,” he adds.

Students are trained in acting, fitness, theatre, dance and personality development. Students have also been placed to work for TV serials, ad films, voice-over artistes and models. The courses are priced at Rs 11,500 for one month and Rs 1,30,000 for the one-year course.

Apart from aspiring youngsters, the institute also trains middle-age people looking for career shifts. Alchemy signs a three-year contract with the students of the long-term course to handle their projects and public relations. However, the contracts can be broken on mutual agreement, adds Viswanathan.