Kerala Minister Counters Remarks Made at Film Policy Conclave
The closing ceremony of Kerala's Film Policy Conclave took an unexpected turn on Saturday when acclaimed filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan made controversial statements about government funding schemes for filmmakers from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities, as well as women directors.
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award winner questioned the state government's decision to allocate Rs 1.5 crore to SC/ST filmmakers, suggesting it could lead to corruption and calling for the amount to be reduced to Rs 50 lakh. "I have not yet made a film beyond Rs 2 crore, yet the government is giving Rs 1.5 crore to SC/ST filmmakers. This would pave the way for corruption," Gopalakrishnan said during his address.
The veteran director, known for his art films, further suggested that beneficiaries should undergo "months of intense training" before receiving funding. His remarks about women filmmakers were equally contentious: "You don't just give funds because they are women, they should also be trained."
The comments immediately drew protests from the audience. Dalit singer Pushpavathy, who serves as vice chairperson of Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, attempted to raise her voice in protest but was reportedly silenced by others in the audience despite requesting a microphone.
Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cherian quickly countered Gopalakrishnan's assertions during the same event. "For 98 years since the first Malayalam film was made, filmmakers from the SC/ST community had not got an opportunity to rise to the mainstream," Cherian stated, defending the government's initiative.
The minister emphasized that the funding recipients were selected after rigorous evaluation by expert committees and highlighted the quality of films produced under the scheme. "All the films that came out of this project have been exceptional. We also want to recognise and give space to the work of gender and other minorities as well as people with disabilities," he added.
Gopalakrishnan's speech also touched on other sensitive issues, including his defense of former KR Narayanan Institute director Shankar Mohan, who resigned following student protests over alleged casteist behavior. The filmmaker dismissed the student agitation as unnecessary, despite having resigned from his chairman position during the controversy.
In an elitist comment that further raised eyebrows, Gopalakrishnan recounted restricting film festival access, suggesting that entry should be limited to those "who can appreciate cinema" rather than being open to the general public.
Singer Pushpavathy later praised Minister Cherian's response, calling it "precise." She emphasized the historical oppression faced by the SC/ST community and defended the government's progressive policies. "The SC/ST community was oppressed for hundreds of years. Our forefathers had lived as slaves without an income of their own. We got to have an education only decades ago," she said.
The controversy has reignited debates about inclusivity in Malayalam cinema, particularly following the Hema Committee Report's revelations about systemic issues within the industry. While Gopalakrishnan's contributions to Indian cinema remain undisputed, his recent remarks have drawn criticism for appearing to undermine efforts toward greater representation and equality in filmmaking.
