There is a herd mentality in filmdom.

If a thing or a trend clicks, soon a plethora of facsimiles follow.

And so hot on the footsteps of dance directors Prabhu Deva and Lawrence turning directors, two others have also jumped into the fray.

Suchitra Chandrabose is making her debut as a director through Pallakilo Pellikoothuru. Another dance director Swarna is ready to follow suit.

Lawrence and Prabhu Deva, who share a long-standing rivalry, are already directing Mass Damunte Kasko and Nuvvostanante Ne Vaddantana respectively. The former stars Nagarjuna and Jyothika in the lead while the latter is a Siddharth- Trisha
starrer.

Industry hands say that these days technicians and others involved in film-making (cinematographers, stunt masters) are getting into direction. One long-standing director of repute quipped: Going by what is happening in the industry, I guess direction is the most easy thing to do. Next you may have a clap boy getting into the fray.

There was no malice in his voice; but just a matter-of-fact seriousness. As he himself said, who cares about story these days. Everything is done by formula --- 25 per cent action, 25 per cent sentiments, 25 per cent comedy, 25 per cent music.

Foreign locations and fancy costumes. Hype and hoopla.

At the end, you have a film.

Sad. But true, too.