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India Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
How should Kerala fund films? Decoding the Adoor Gopalakrishnan row
Celebrated director Adoor Gopalakrishnan's remark that the Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC) review norms of the Rs 1.5 crore funding for filmmakers from marginalised communities and base it on their merit as well as a three-month-long training in film production has left the cinema fraternity at the concluding ceremony of the Kerala Film Policy conclave in Thiruvananthapuram on August 4, Gopalakrishnan, 84, had suggested that the Kerala government pare down the KSFDC funding for Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe/women debut filmmakers to Rs 50 lakh and insisted on mandatory training for them before extending the financial has invited strong protests from Dalit organisations, artistes as well as leaders from across political parties for what was construed as casteist remarks. At the conclave itself, the veteran director was challenged by Carnatic vocalist and playback singer Pushpavathy Poypadathu, who was in the audience. Later, Gopalakrishnan apparently even questioned Poypadathu's qualifications for attending the film is vice-chairperson of the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi based in Thrissur. 'I respect Adoor Gopalakrishnan as a filmmaker. But his remarks, suggesting that women and the marginalised were receiving undue favours from the government, are deeply rooted in the patriarchal and feudal mindset. So I expressed my objections at the venue itself,' she told INDIA TODAY. While Gopalakrishnan has not taken back his comments, Kerala minister for co-operation, ports and devaswoms V.N. Vasavan sought to cool down matters, saying the director's intent was probably to improve the quality of films made by debut Rs 1.5 crore funding initiative was started by the Pinarayi Vijayan government in 2019 to encourage women filmmakers. It was later extended to filmmakers from marginalised communities. Over the past six years, 10 filmmakers have received support from the government to produce films under the scheme. Among them, six are women. Some of the films have featured in international film festivals and won awards.'Adoor Gopalakrishnan remarked without ascertaining the facts about the funding scheme. The funds are distributed by the Kerala State Film Development Corporation after inviting applications and undertaking a four-level screening process,' explained a KSFDC official, who did not wish to be named.'The filmmakers are selected on the basis of script-reading and interview by an eminent jury. The funds are not released to the filmmakers but kept in the KSFDC account, which produces the films,' the official CPI(M) MP K. Radhakrishnan said Gopalakrishnan's views did not go with his stature, condemnation also came from CPI(M) state secretary M.V. Govindan Master, All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary K.C. Venugopal, leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan and state social justice minister R. the same time, veteran filmmaker Sreekumaran Thampi defended Gopalakrishnan, saying he was justified in suggesting that eligibility be assessed before granting funds. 'We cannot just give away public money. What is wrong in asking that funds be provided after giving them (filmmakers) necessary training?' said the police have provided security to Gopalakrishnan after Dalit organisations organised a protest parade outside his home in Thiruvananthapuram. Dalit activist Dinu Veyil filed a police complaint against the director, alleging he had insulted the Dalit community and women with his public statements, but the police decided not to register a case after seeking legal to India Today Magazine- Ends
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Adoor Gopalakrishnan, caste and cinema: A reckoning in Kerala
What would Adivasi characters have been doing in the average Malayalam film 30 years ago? Perhaps depicted dancing in the jungle. What about women? Perhaps shown being slapped. Dalits? Probably not there at all. How many directors were there from each of these categories? Few to none. That's a point to keep in mind while thinking about renowned director Adoor Gopalakrishnan's controversial remarks about the Kerala government's programmes to support aspiring SC/ST and women filmmakers. At a film policy conclave on Sunday, he criticised the Kerala State Film Development Corporation's (KSFDC) scheme allocating Rs 1.5 crore each to two selected projects by SC/ST filmmakers every year, claiming it was excessive and paved the way for corruption; he instead proposed giving Rs 50 lakh each to more filmmakers. He also said these directors should first go through three months of intensive training in budgeting and the basics of filmmaking. Gopalakrishnan was similarly dismissive of a scheme that allocates Rs 1.5 crore to two women filmmakers each year, saying they shouldn't receive funding just because they are women. The matter escalated quickly, with a Dalit activist filing a police complaint against Gopalakrishnan, who has since doubled down, saying the government shouldn't waste money on untrained filmmakers. First, let's get the facts straight about the schemes. The one for women was launched in 2019-20, and that for SC/ST filmmakers in 2020-21. Of the films funded through the schemes so far, at least three — Nishiddho (2022), B32 Muthal 44 Vare (2023) and Victoria (2024) — have reportedly won awards both at the state level and at international film festivals, suggesting it may not be such a waste of money after all. The 'untrained' filmmakers are selected through an elaborate, multi-round process involving industry professionals, including a workshop and an interview by an expert panel, as Kerala Culture Minister Saji Cherian emphasised while rebutting Gopalakrishnan's claims. National Award-winning director Bijukumar Damodaran, who has been part of the scheme's selection jury, also issued a detailed counter to Gopalakrishnan's claims in a social media post, in which he pointed to the mentorship selected candidates receive as part of the scheme. Second, there's another side to this story that hints at quite a different picture from that painted by Gopalakrishnan. Indu Lakshmi and Mini I G, two women filmmakers selected under the scheme, have previously made allegations about ill-treatment and verbal harassment by KSFDC officials, including its former chairman, the late Shaji N Karun, who denied the accusations. They've talked about how difficult it was to get funds released due to red tape, and how budget-related decisions were out of their control. It is vital to investigate and address such troubling allegations, but the schemes must be improved, not discarded. Their importance is twofold. On the one hand, it is a matter of right and equity to ensure that women and those from marginalised communities have access to these upper-caste, male-dominated fields. It is the state's responsibility to intervene and actively make sure it happens. The other aspect is to do with the stories that wouldn't be told otherwise. The fact that many 'cultural' fields remain such upper-caste bastions means that dominant narratives are perpetuated, certain ways of seeing and knowing are universalised, and all other perspectives and histories are buried. That epistemic domination is what leads to an abundance of 'tribal dances' but very few tribal protagonists. Improving the representation of the marginalised in the production of knowledge and culture is the only antidote. Malayalam cinema in particular has barely reckoned with caste. The wave of 'feudal' films in the 1990s, representing a regression from a certain modernity and urbanity to out-of-time villages, lords and patriarchs, did not inspire a reaction in the form of anti-caste cinema. What little there is began, more or less, with Kammatipaadam (2016) and has been gradually picking up since then. It's in this space that the KSFDC scheme for SC/ST filmmakers can make important contributions, and has already begun to do so. For example, Churul (2024), directed by Arun J Mohan and produced under the scheme, uses the murder of a retired police officer to frame a story of brutal casteism. It is encouraging that the Kerala government and the CPI(M) have taken strong stances defending the schemes and issuing rebuttals to Gopalakrishnan. But it's equally important to ensure that the functioning of the KSFDC and its schemes is transparent and any allegations are properly investigated.
News18
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Poet Thampi Justifies Adoor Gopalakrishnan's Controversial Remarks On Women Filmmakers
Last Updated: Poet Sreekumaran Thampi backs filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan's controversial remarks on government funding for marginalized and women filmmakers. As debate continues to brew over filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan's controversial remarks on government funding for filmmakers from marginalised communities, veteran poet and lyricist Sreekumaran Thampi has publicly stepped forward to support the acclaimed director. Thampi defends Adoor Gopalakrishnan Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Thampi defended Gopalakrishnan's comments made during the Kerala Film Conclave, where the Dadasaheb Phalke awardee questioned the rationale behind allocating funds specifically to women and SC/ST filmmakers. The comments had drawn sharp criticism from Kerala's Cultural Affairs Minister, Saji Cherian, and ignited a larger discussion about inclusivity and merit in the state's cultural funding policies. Thampi, however, expressed firm support for Gopalakrishnan, describing him as 'one of the greatest living filmmakers in the world" and dismissing the backlash as unwarranted. 'What is wrong with his statements? The government is giving Rs 1.5 crore to promote filmmakers from marginalised sections but that's public money," Thampi said. He argued that public funds should not be distributed without a proper assessment of eligibility and skill. 'We cannot simply give away public money. What is wrong with saying the fund should be provided after giving them necessary training in filmmaking?" he added. Addressing accusations that Gopalakrishnan had unfairly targeted specific communities, Thampi clarified that the filmmaker's comments were general in nature. 'He only said that those receiving government funding should have adequate knowledge about cinema. Camera is not a toy," he remarked. Thampi also weighed in on the disruption that occurred during Gopalakrishnan's speech, when playback singer Pushpavati protested from the audience. He criticised the interruption, calling it 'ignorance." 'It was wrong to interrupt him during his speech. She could have spoken after he finished," he said. When asked about Pushpavati's background, Thampi appeared dismissive. 'She once came to take a selfie with me at a railway station, but I still don't know who she is," he commented, despite reporters pointing out her musical credentials. In response, Pushpavati maintained a respectful tone, telling a TV channel that she held Thampi in high regard and would refrain from making further comments. What was the controversy about? 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. Adoor extended the same argument to women filmmakers: 'Don't give money just because someone is a woman. They should also receive expert training. We need more women filmmakers — there are a few brilliant ones — but if we want more like them, they should be prepared for the challenges of filmmaking." 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.
Mint
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Malayalam poet Thampi backs Adoor Gopalakrishnan in film funding row, says camera is not toy
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 5 (PTI) Veteran Malayalam poet, lyricist and filmmaker Sreekumaran Thampi on Tuesday came out strongly in support of acclaimed director Adoor Gopalakrishnan amid a row over the latter's remarks on government funding for filmmakers from marginalised communities. Defending Gopalakrishnan, Thampi said the Dadasaheb Phalke awardee is one of the greatest living filmmakers in the world and questioned the criticism against his recent comments. 'What is wrong with his statements? The government is giving ₹ 1.5 crore to promote filmmakers from marginalised sections—that's public money,' Thampi told reporters here. He said there was nothing inappropriate in suggesting that eligibility be assessed before disbursing such funds. 'We cannot simply give away public money. What is wrong with saying the fund should be provided after giving them necessary training in filmmaking?' he asked. Thampi also clarified that Gopalakrishnan did not single out women or Dalit filmmakers. 'He only said that those receiving government funding should have adequate knowledge about cinema. Camera is not a toy,' he added. The veteran director also criticised playback singer Pushpavati, who protested from the audience while Gopalakrishnan was speaking at a government-organised film conclave on Sunday. 'It was wrong to interrupt him during his speech. That was ignorance. She could have spoken after he finished,' Thampi claimed. He added that he was unfamiliar with Pushpavati, despite reporters informing him of her credentials. 'She once came to take a selfie with me at a railway station, but I still don't know who she is,' he said. In response, Pushpavati told a TV channel that she holds Sreekumaran Thampi in high regard and did not wish to comment further. The controversy erupted after Gopalakrishnan said that the Kerala State Film Development Corporation's (KSFDC) practice of offering ₹ 1.5 crore to filmmakers from marginalised communities had not "yielded the intended results." He suggested that such aspiring filmmakers should first undergo training from experts before receiving financial support. On Monday, Gopalakrishnan defended his remarks, stating that his intention was to empower new filmmakers and enhance their technical competence.
New Indian Express
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Movies produced under government scheme have won acclaim in Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even as renowned filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan's remarks over extending a financial support of Rs 1.5 crore to women filmmakers and those from SC/ST communities have triggered a controversy, the achievements of movies made under the scheme have set off discussions. As many as 10 films have been produced by the Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC) under the schemes — six by women and four by filmmakers from the SC/ST communities. Of these, three films — Nishiddho, B 32 Muthal 44 Vare and Victoria — have won laurels at various national and international film spaces. Speaking at the film policy conclave on Sunday, Adoor had said that those from scheduled caste backgrounds should be given at least three months of training under experienced filmmakers before being supported financially. Ruling out the possibility of inefficient directors availing these benefits, actor Maala Parvathi said: 'I have been part of the selection process of certain movies under the scheme. The filmmakers will have to go through at least four levels of selection procedure, including script reading and an interview, before qualifying.' She also wondered why training should be given to individuals who have already proven themselves before a panel. Director Shruthy Sharanyam, whose film B 32 Muthal 44 Vare was produced under the scheme during 2021-22, said there was no possibility of money provided being mishandled by filmmakers or other technicians. 'The financial matters are often looked after by the KSFDC officials, and hence, there is no chance of the funds being misused or filmmakers indulging in corruption,' she told the TNIE.
