*VELS Trade & Convention Centre Inaugurated in Chennai; Thangam Thennarasu and Dr. Kamal Haasan Grace the Occasion*

Chennai, Tamil Nadu:

The VELS Group marked a significant milestone with the grand inauguration of the VELS Trade & Convention Centre at Chembarambakkam, Chennai, in the presence of eminent dignitaries from politics, cinema, academia, industry and culture.

The prestigious inaugural ceremony was graced by Thiru Thangam Thennarasu, Hon’ble Minister for Finance and Human Resources Management, Government of Tamil Nadu, and Padma Bhushan Dr. Kamal Haasan, Hon’ble Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and renowned actor.

The event was presided over by Dr. Ishari K. Ganesh, Founder-Chancellor of VELS University and Chairman of VELS Group of Institutions and Companies, who formally inaugurated the VELS Trade & Convention Centre.

The dais also featured Dr. A. C. Shanmugam, Founder-Chancellor, Dr. MGR Educational and Research Institute, alongside Dr. Kamal Haasan and Thiru Thangam Thennarasu.

In his address, Dr. Ishari K. Ganesh conveyed that the Hon’ble Union Finance Minister and Hon’ble Minister of State Shri L. Murugan were unable to attend the event due to prior commitments and had conveyed their warm wishes for the success of the ceremony. He also expressed his sincere gratitude to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru M. K. Stalin, for deputing Thiru Thangam Thennarasu to grace the occasion.

The VELS Trade & Convention Centre is envisioned as a world-class destination for hosting large-scale trade fairs, exhibitions, conferences, corporate events, political meetings, award ceremonies, weddings, summits and major cultural gatherings. Designed with contemporary architecture and advanced amenities, the facility can accommodate up to 20,000 guests at a time and provides parking for nearly 6,000 vehicles, making it one of the largest and most advanced event venues in Chennai.

Complementing this landmark infrastructure is the VELS Film City, the only integrated film city in Tamil Nadu. Spread across a vast campus, it features expansive outdoor shooting locations, comprehensive production facilities, guest accommodations, and VELS Theatres, a six-screen multiplex with a dedicated food court. Together, these facilities reinforce the VELS Group’s strong presence in the entertainment, arts and creative sectors.

Strategically located in a rapidly developing business and technology corridor, the VELS Trade & Convention Centre is poised to emerge as a premier hub for major exhibitions, conferences and cultural events, contributing to economic growth and regional development.

 

Addressing the gathering, Thiru Thangam Thennarasu highlighted Tamil Nadu’s strong economic momentum, stating that the state’s growth has reached double-digit levels, driven by sustained investment in infrastructure and active participation from private organisations such as the VELS Group of Institutions and Companies. He noted that such initiatives play a vital role in enhancing employment opportunities and strengthening Tamil Nadu’s development trajectory.

In his special address, Padma Bhushan Dr. Kamal Haasan remarked that Chennai has today emerged as a pan-India hub for film production. He encouraged the younger generation to take Tamil cinema to the next level and expressed confidence in the future of the industry, citing the emergence of new-age visionaries. Referring to Ms. Kushmitha Ganesh, he said that while there were earlier concerns about the fading glow of Tamil cinema, the leadership and creativity of the younger generation reassured him that the industry is set to reach greater national and global heights.

The ceremony witnessed the presence of several distinguished personalities, including former Minister Veeramani; Shri L. K. Sudheesh, Deputy General Secretary, DMDK; Shri Jaynthilal Chalani, President, Gold and Diamond Jewellery Association; actors R. Parthiban, Senthil and Sripriya; VGP Santhosham; leading academicians; and representatives from business, trade bodies and cultural organisations.

The VELS Trade & Convention Centre has been envisioned as a world-class venue for hosting large-scale trade fairs, exhibitions, conferences, corporate events, political meetings, award ceremonies, weddings, summits and major cultural gatherings. Designed with contemporary architecture and advanced amenities, the facility can accommodate up to 20,000 guests at a time and offers parking for nearly 6,000 vehicles, making it one of the largest and most advanced event destinations in Chennai.

Complementing this landmark facility is the VELS Film City, the only integrated film city in Tamil Nadu. Spread across an expansive campus, it features outdoor shooting locations, comprehensive production facilities, guest accommodations, and VELS Theatres, a six-screen multiplex with a dedicated food court. Together, these facilities reinforce the VELS Group’s strong presence in the entertainment, arts and creative industries.

Strategically located in a rapidly developing business and technology corridor, the VELS Trade & Convention Centre is poised to emerge as a premier destination for major exhibitions, conferences and cultural events, contributing significantly to regional economic growth and tourism.

Reaffirming its commitment to social responsibility, the VELS Group distributed welfare kits to 1000 students from orphanages during the inauguration along with lunch. Special screening of the Actor Rajinikanth Movie is being screened in the Vels theatres for these students, reflecting its continued focus on inclusive growth, community development and humanitarian service.