Latest news with #Thampi
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Businessman involved in Kowdiar land grab case seeks pre-arrest bail
Thiruvananthapuram: Businessman Anil Thampi, who allegedly orchestrated the Kowdiar land grab scam, has approached high court seeking pre-arrest bail. He approached court after Museum police issued a lookout notice against him. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now During the probe into the case, police found that Thampi, 52, of Jawahar Nagar, paid Rs 1.48 crore to vendor and former Congress district committee member Ananthapuri Manikantan, 50, who is accused of forging documents of a property at Jawahar Nagar. Without the knowledge of its owner, the property was sold to Chandrasenan, 62, of Sasthamangalam, who is also the father-in-law of Thampi. Chandrasenan told police that Thampi had some tax-related issues, and due to this, he directed the property to be registered in his name. After the fraud came to light, police believed that the land was snatched by Manikantan by forging documents and sold to Chandrasenan. However, Manikantan told police that it was as per the direction of Thampi that the documents were forged, as the landowner was not willing to sell it to Thampi, despite him approaching them several times. "Manikantan's version is not fully trustworthy, as there is a possibility that Thampi was cheated by Manikantan," said police. The owner of the property, Dora Asariya Crips, is settled in the US and Manikantan forged all the documents of the property and Crips' Aadhaar card. Manikantan got the help of a woman named Vasantha, 76, of Karakulam, who posed as Crips and registered the land in the name of Merin, 27, of Punalur. Merin posed as the stepdaughter of Crips at the sub-registrar office. Later, Merin sold the property to Chandrasenan. "We collected bank details of the payment Thampi made to Manikantan. He later gave Rs 10 lakh to Merin and Rs 5 lakh to Vasantha," said police.
New Indian Express
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Filmmaker-lyricist Sreekumaran Thampi flays quality of films funded by Kerala government
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Filmmaker and lyricist Sreekumaran Thampi on Tuesday defended Adoor Gopalakrishnan in the controversy triggered by the latter's remarks over extending financial support to scheduled caste and women filmmakers, saying there was nothing wrong with the veteran director's statements. 'There is nothing wrong with his statements. He never intended to insult any community or women,' Thampi told reporters on Tuesday. 'The `1.5 crore that the government is providing to make a movie is our money. So what is wrong in saying training should be given to these filmmakers,' he asked. Thampi also said cinema was not a 'toy'. 'I saw the four movies that got the government funds. I did not get the feeling that much money was invested in them. This is my 60th year in cinema, so I can tell how much money was spent on a film. I don't mean there was corruption, but when you watch those films, you don't feel so much money was spent, as the inexpensiveness was reflected in them,' he said. He also criticised singer Pushpavati for protesting while Adoor was speaking. 'I don't know her. In my opinion, it was wrong to interrupt in the middle of the speech. It reflects her ignorance. She could have raised her objection after the speech,' Thampi said. Meanwhile, the police have sought legal advice on the complaint lodged by Dalit activist Dinu Veyil with the Museum Police seeking action against Adoor.
Time of India
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Adoor's words testimony to prevailing feudal mindset: Govindan
Thiruvananthapuram: CPM state secretary M V Govindan criticised filmmaker for his controversial statements made at Kerala Film Policy Conclave against first-time filmmakers from the scheduled castes and the women community. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Gopalakrishnan's statement indicates that there are people who still live with a feudal mindset. Now, if he says that he did not say that, the people will not believe it," said Govindan. The CPM state secretary also criticised the way people are viewed in the name of castes. "Like Gopalakrishnan, many people continue to speak with the linguistic content of feudal decay, and this can be stated with certainty. This is the greatest injustice done to a democratic society. The Kerala society has progressed well beyond the ideological level of feudal culture. The decay of the caste system has significantly decreased. The govt's stance was made clear by the minister on that same platform in response to Gopalakrishnan's statement," he added. Meanwhile, filmmaker Sreekumaran Thampi came out in support of Gopalakrishnan saying that the main intention of what he said was that only the deserving should get the govt funds for making films. "Even if it is dalits, scheduled castes or women, the intention was true. His words have been unnecessarily dragged into a controversy," he said. Gopalakrishnan did not insult women or the scheduled castes in his speech, said Thampi, who shared the stage with Gopalakrishnan at the film conclave. He also claimed that he saw the four films which were shot using the govt funds. These films lacked quality matching the investment costs, he said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Thampi also questioned how Pushpavathi could interrupt the speech of Gopalakrishnan. The organizers of the event should not have allowed that, he said. Thampi said that he was not aware of who singer Pushpavathi was and had not heard her songs. When pointed out that she is the vice-chairperson of Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, Thampi said the heads of the Sangeetha Nataka Akademi and Sahitya Akademi are members of the ruling party.
Deccan Herald
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Deccan Herald
Malayalam poet Sreekumaran Thampi backs Adoor Gopalakrishnan in film funding row, says 'camera is not toy'
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.
News18
05-08-2025
- 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.
