Mammootty suffering from minor complication, undergoing treatment: Kerala leader
Brittas assured that Mammootty is doing fine.Mammootty's team confirmed that the actor will soon be returning to work. He was shooting for director Mahesh Narayanan's upcoming film with Mohanlal. The actor took a break from the film's shooting to take care of his health.According to reports, the actor is expected to join the team soon. An official announcement is awaited. On the work front, Mammootty was last seen in the Malayalam thriller, 'Bazooka'.Must Watch
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News18
33 minutes ago
- News18
'Don't Give Money..': Noted Filmmaker Questions Fee Given To Women, SC & ST Filmmakers; Sparks Row
Last Updated: Adoor said that women filmmaker shouldn't get money only because they are women, adding that they must also be given training. Adoor Gopalakrishnan, the renowned filmmaker sparked a row after he said that women shouldn't be given money to make films just because they are women. His remark on state funding for women and SC/ST filmmakers came at the Kerala Film Conclave. His remarks drew strong reactions from Kerala's Cultural Affairs Minister, Saji Cherian. Speaking at the event, Adoor questioned the current model of financial support being extended to filmmakers from Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and women communities through the Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC). 'The government is giving around Rs 1.5 crore to individuals from SC/ST communities. I once told the Chief Minister that this could open up space for corruption," Adoor said. He added that while the intent behind such schemes is positive, proper groundwork was lacking. 'I want to give a suggestion — those selected should be given intensive training, at least for three months, on how films are made. Just having an interest isn't enough. They should understand budgeting and filmmaking. This is public money — tax money — and must be used responsibly. Instead of giving Rs 1 crore to one person, it should be split into Rs 50 lakh each for three people," he added. His remarks were met with immediate criticism. Pushpavathi PR, Vice Chairperson of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, responded by defending the support extended to women and transgender filmmakers as well. 'People from SC/ST communities have not had the opportunity to come to the forefront of cinema. It's been 98 years — that's the reality," said Minister Cherian. 'One of the best decisions taken by this government was to provide Rs 1.5 crore each for two films. We've already released four and are funding two more." 'How many women in our state have directed films? We gave Rs 1.5 crore each for two women-led films and completed three to four projects. We've also launched initiatives for the transgender community. Everyone should have the opportunity to be part of cinema." Responding to concerns about misuse, Cherian said, 'These decisions are not made arbitrarily. A screening committee of respected members from the Malayalam film industry evaluates each project. And the films produced under this scheme have been extraordinary. We are 100 per cent confident that we made the right decision." view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Hindu
10 hours ago
- The Hindu
Comprehensive policy for Malayalam film industry within 2-3 months: Saji Cherian
The two-day Kerala Film Policy Conclave concluded here on Sunday with Minister for Cultural Affairs Saji Cherian making a commitment to frame a comprehensive policy for the Malayalam film industry within 2-3 months. Over the two days, panel discussions with stakeholders from the industry as well as experts from various sectors were held on nine major subjects, followed by open forum sessions involving all the delegates. At the closing ceremony, Mr. Cherian said that the government has taken serious note of the issues raised by the junior artistes about their abject working conditions, including long working hours, which will be addressed. The government will also initiate talks to arrive at a solution for the wage disparity in the industry with the stars taking a good part of the production cost, while the rest get a pittance. Safety on sets 'The government does not agree with the attempts to paint the whole film industry with the same brush. A few people who have made money are coming into the industry with other intentions. Their actions bring disrepute to the whole industry. It has to be ensured that women can work freely in shooting sets. Both women and men should have the equal freedom to go about their work. The policy will ensure complete safety for everyone on the sets. ID cards will be considered for people across sections as part of safety measures,' he said. He brought to the attention of Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal the issue of eliminating entertainment tax to resolve the issue of double taxation in the film sector. The Minister said that ₹5 crore has been allocated for implementing e-ticketing this year itself and an agreement had been reached with Digital University Kerala in this regard. A single-window system will be introduced to grant permission for film shooting. The government will ensure at least one screening in theatres for independent films and will examine the provision of more subsidies to them. The issue of bringing a common code of conduct will also be considered to prevent review bombing from damaging the film industry. The suggestion to organise a student film festival will be considered. Improvements will be brought about in the functioning of the welfare funds for cultural activists. The Finance Minister has agreed to consider favourably a proposal to revise the funds, said Mr. Cherian. The government is also planning a project to support the modernisation of old cinema theatres in the State.
The Hindu
10 hours ago
- The Hindu
Adoor Gopalakrishnan courts controversy at Kerala Film Policy Conclave, Minister counters him
The closing ceremony of the Kerala Film Policy Conclave in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday witnessed some dramatic moments when veteran filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan made some controversial statements on the State government's project to promote filmmakers from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities and the one for women filmmakers, with Minister for Cultural Affairs Saji Cherian countering his assertions in his speech. 'The government is providing ₹1.5 crore for filmmakers from the SC/ST communities to make films. I told the Chief Minister that the government is paving the way for corruption through this, but nothing has changed. The intent behind the project is good, but they should be given at least three months of intensive training to make films. All the filmmakers who have made films under this project have complaints about it. They should be made aware that these are public funds. The amount should be reduced to ₹50 lakh. This money is not meant to make commercial films,' said Mr. Gopalakrishnan. Regarding a similar project for women filmmakers, he said that 'just because one is a woman, the government should not be giving money to make films.' They should also be provided training. They should know all the difficulties involved in making a film, he said. Mr. Cherian in his speech disagreed with Mr. Gopalakrishnan and said that even ₹1.5 crore was insufficient to make quality films these days, as most of the filmmakers under the project struggled due to funding issues. 'A rare opportunity' 'In the 98 years of Malayalam cinema's history, those from the SC/ST communities have not got a mainstream opportunity. This funding project is one of the best decisions this government has taken, because of which many new filmmakers from these communities were able to come forward. They were selected by a committee of experts through an intensive screening process,' he said. Mr. Gopalakrishnan's comments invited loud disapproval from a section of the audience, especially singer Pushpavathy. Later, speaking to the media, she said that Mr. Gopalakrishnan was attempting to torpedo a project to promote filmmakers from marginalised communities. 'People from the SC/ST communities have experienced oppression for centuries. Our forefathers have experienced slave-like conditions. It has just been decades since we started getting proper education. Any attempt to torpedo such projects has to be opposed. The government has clearly rejected his remarks,' she said. On IFFK Mr. Gopalakrishnan demanded that the delegate fee for the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) be raised to ensure that only those who were really interested in cinema got in. Recounting an event from the past, he said that 'a group of labourers from the Chala market barged into the theatre just to watch the adult content.' He also criticised the 2023 protest movement by the students of the K.R. Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts demanding the resignation of the institute's director Shankar Mohan for alleged caste discrimination, which also led to Mr. Gopalakrishnan's resignation as the institute's chairperson. He claimed that the institute was primed for take-off during his tenure, but no one knows the state of the institute now. Countering him, Mr. Cherian said that the institution was functioning effectively. The Minister also countered poet and filmmaker Sreekumaran Thampy's claim that nothing happened after the K. Hema Committee report was published. 'It is because the Hema committee report that this conclave is happening,' he said.
