CHENNAI: Most filmmakers rail against piracy but director Anurag Kashyap feels pirated DVDs of world cinema sold in Burma Bazaar are a blessing to Indian cinema.

"Exposure to world cinema has helped and inspired a young generation of directors. Even I buy lots of international movie DVDs from Burma Bazaar," said Kashyap, who was part of a discussion on 'Popular Tamil cinema: Breaking Barriers' at the ninth Chennai international Film Festival on Tuesday.

Other directors agreed that the easy availability of cheap, pirated DVDs has a positive impact. "Pirated DVDs may be bad, but young directors are able to understand how international movies are taken. Otherwise, we would have been restricted to a stereotyped manner of directing movies," said 'Aadukalam' director Vetrimaran , who won a national award recently.

Kashyap who has been a fan of Tamil cinema, said his next film 'Gangs of Wasseypur' would be dedicated to directors Bala, Ameer and Sasikumar . "I have watched many Tamil movies. Directors are taking local subjects and giving them global appeal. Earlier, it was the hero who got applause when he went on stage. Now it is happening for directors too. The Tamil audience is the best," said Kashyap.

Since 2003, soon after the release of 'Kadhal', more films rooted in Tamil culture are being made. "Recently, four movies, including 'Aadukalam' and 'Azhagar Samiyin Kudirai', were screened at international film festivals. This shows that mainstream cinema and parallel cinema are not different here and Tamil audiences appreciate such films," said Vetrimaran.

A new wave of young directors has started a movement promoting realistic cinema. "Veteran directors have tried this individually. But this is the first time it is happening in a group. Such movies do not require sets, but are shot in real locations. The cast comprises new faces. This change is seen in all aspects of cinema. People are able to relate to such movies," said Vetrimaran.

Kashyap said Tamil films depict their own towns, culture and people. The movie is also shot in the location where the story takes place. "But Bollywood movies do not have such an approach. I hope this attitude spreads in the north also," he said.

Vetrimaran said directors had to set down terms and conditions with foreign companies that are coming to fund Tamil movies. "If we go by their terms and conditions, we will lose the cultural touch in our movies. We cannot afford that," he said.

Exposure to world cinema has helped and inspired a young generation of directors. Even I buy lots of international movie DVDs from Burma Bazaar.