Latest news with #SajiCherian
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Kerala to unveil new film policy by year-end; Kamal Haasan, Shobana among guests at August conclave
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala will formulate a comprehensive film policy by the end of this year, Minister for Cultural Affairs Saji Cherian said while unveiling the logo of the Kerala Policy Conclave in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday. He added that the draft policy, prepared by a committee led by filmmaker Shaji N Karun in 2023, will be presented at the conclave for discussion and feedback. The two-day conclave, scheduled for August 2 and 3 at Sankaranarayanan Thampi Hall here, will be attended by over 500 prominent figures from the Indian and international film industry. Celebrities such as Kamal Haasan, Shobana, Sheela, and others are expected to participate, along with representatives from 17 states that have already introduced film policies. 'On the first day alone, we expect around 1,500 participants. This is a serious initiative by the government to frame a well-rounded policy that reflects diverse voices,' the minister added.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Culture Minister launches logo for Kerala film policy conclave
The proposed policy for the Malayalam film industry, to be presented at the Kerala film policy conclave in August, will address all the long-time demands and pertinent issues, including women's safety, implementation of labour laws and the formal recognition as an industry, Minister for Cultural Affairs Saji Cherian has said. Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday to announce the conclave and launch its logo, he said that the film policy will be formulated based on the discussions at the conclave. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the two-day conclave at a function to be held at the Sankaranarayanan Thampi Hall inside the Legislative Assembly complex in Thiruvananthapuram on August 2. The conclave, which will comprehensively discuss various aspects of cinema, will be attended by representatives of the 17 States that have formulated the film policy, representatives of the National Film Development Corporation, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Union Ministry of Culture and Tourism, personalities from the Indian film industry as well as international experts, various film organisations and experts in the fields of labour and law. Mr. Cherian said that comprehensive discussions will be held on various issues related to the film sector. The conclave will have nine sessions over two days. After the inaugural session on the first day, five sessions will be conducted. All these sessions will be held simultaneously at five different venues. There will be a plenary session in the afternoon in which moderators from each discussion will present reports based on their discussions. This will be followed by an open forum at 4.30 p.m., in which representatives can raise questions related to the reports. Ideas emerging from the discussions will be codified and incorporated into the film policy. Wide-ranging process 'Such a wide-ranging, democratic process to formulate a policy for a film industry is unprecedented. The policy will be a comprehensive one in which every department of cinema will be considered and the concerns of every person will be addressed,' said Mr. Cherian. Cultural Affairs department Additional Chief Secretary Rajan N. Khobragade, Cultural Affairs department Director Divya S. Iyer, Kerala State Chalachitra Academy chairperson Premkumar, Kerala State Cultural Activists Welfare Fund Board chairperson K. Madhupal, Kerala State Film Development Corporation managing director P.S. Priyadarshan and Kerala State Chalachitra Academy secretary C. Ajoy were present.
India Today
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Kerala to hold film policy meet to push long-pending reforms in Malayalam cinema
The Kerala Film Policy Conclave will be held on August 2-3 in Thiruvananthapuram, marking a major step towards a comprehensive cinema policy for the event comes in response to long-standing demands from the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), which has consistently called for structural reforms in the Malayalam film industry following the submission of the Hema Committee Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the conclave, which is set to host prominent personalities from across India and abroad. Representatives from 17 Indian states that already have cinema policies will join the 500 delegates expected to The two-day event will feature panel discussions on nine major topics, with participants encouraged to share their suggestions. Public engagement sessions are also planned, and feedback gathered will inform the final for Culture Saji Cherian noted that significant groundwork has already been laid. 'We aim to create a comprehensive cinema policy. A committee was formed in 2023, and around 20 meetings were held. I don't think any other policy in Kerala's history has gone through this level of discussion, both at the individual and organisational levels. The government doesn't plan to change this framework for now. We will present it at the conclave.'- Ends
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Memorial for Mani Madhava Chakyar comes up at his birthplace in Kozhikode
Minister for Cultural Affairs Saji Cherian on Tuesday opened a cultural studies centre named after well-known Koodiyattam exponent Mani Madhava Chakyar at his birthplace in Arikkulam Grama Panchayat in Kozhikode district. Mr. Cherian said that Chakyar, a recipient of the Padma Shri, had made immense contributions to the cultural heritage of Kerala. It was the duty of the government to respect the memories of such great artistes, the Minister said. The centre has been built at Karayad near the Thiruvangayur Shiva Temple in Arikkulam Grama Panchayat. It was constructed on 10 cents of land donated by Chakyar's family. T.P. Ramakrishnan, MLA, sanctioned ₹75 lakh for the construction works from his local area development funds. The Panthalayini Block Panchayat allocated Rs. 3 lakh for the furniture there.
The Hindu
07-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Saji Cherian praises services of private hospitals
Kerala Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cherian on Monday credited private health-care facilities for their services, recounting how one such hospital saved his life years ago when he fell critically ill with dengue fever after being treated at a government hospital. Talking to reporters here, Mr. Cherian said people, including Ministers, taking treatment at private hospitals was just normal practice. His remarks on the health-care facilities came while defending Ministers seeking treatment at private hospitals. 'Wherever people can get good treatment first, they will go there and what is wrong with that,' he asked, asking how many Ministers actually prefer government facilities. Personal experience Recounting a personal experience, Mr. Cherian said he was 'almost dead due to the treatment at a government hospital' after being admitted for dengue fever in 2019. 'When I was almost dead due to the treatment at the government hospital, it was recommended to take me to the Amrita hospital. I had remained there unconscious for 14 days and had been cured later,' he said. The Minister further said private hospitals may have more technologies and there is nothing wrong with people going there for advanced treatment. Mr. Cherian's statement came amidst a raging debate over the alleged lapses in government hospitals and medical colleges in the State. Clarification However, the Minister later came up with a clarification that he never tried to belittle the services provided by the government hospitals and that a section of the media distorted what he said. In a Facebook post, Mr. Cherian said lakhs of people are depending on the government hospitals in the State, and he was mentioning the circumstances in which people had to depend upon private health-care facilities. Distorting the statements in this regard was condemnable, he said, and requested people to reject such propaganda being made with political motives.
