CNEEMAA, which goes live on Friday, is touted as the world’s first Tamil-classics over-the-top (OTT) platform, with films from as early as the 1930s all the way to the early 2000s.

The platform will also allow cinephiles to view song clips and compilations of comedy scenes from any movie within its library.

CNEEMAA will utilise a subscription-based model with monthly, half-yearly, and yearly plans starting from RM9.90. It will be available on iOS, Android, and on the web.

In a statement, Columbia Video Films explained that CNEEMAA is named as such because “this is how the word ‘cinema’ is commonly pronounced in Tamil”.

The history of these movies dates back to the 1920s when silent films were made in Tamil Nadu, with many of its stars often elevated to the status of demigod.

Founded by Joseph Michael Benedict Thomas in the early ’70s, Columbia Films is a family-run organisation with roots in music-recording services. Over the last half-century, it has evolved into film, VHS, VCDs, and DVDs, and on to content distribution and production, where it is now the global frontrunner for films of this genre.

CNEEMAA was conceived by managing director Christopher Ravin, his brother Gerard Thomas, and their sister Elena, who have been working on the project since 2017.

“It is about reliving timeless memories for family entertainment,” Christopher said. “We have evolved from linear to the internet, with a fully digitised content library preserved in its original format, maintaining its sound and picture quality for the best viewing experience.”

To subscribe to CNEEMAA, check out this link when it goes live from Friday.