Latest news with #VSAchuthanandan
India Today
6 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Watch film first: Kerala Story director on Pinarayi Vijayan's National Award criticism
Kerala Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, condemned the National Award win for 'The Kerala Story'. In an exclusive interview with now, the film's director, Sudipto Sen, reacted to the criticism from the senior politician, referring to the Chief Minister's support for former Kerala CM, VS Achuthanandan, in the said he read the entire post made by Vijayan on X, in which he called 'The Kerala Story' a film that "spreads blatant misinformation with the clear intent of tarnishing Kerala's image and sowing seeds of communal hatred." advertisementWhen asked to comment on the post, Sen said he doubts that Vijayan had even watched his film before criticising its National Award win. "I have, I have a mixed bag reaction. Number one, I'm sure he did not see the film. I would request, he's a very, very senior politician and a very, very revered politician, so I would request him to watch the film," he recalled Vijayan's support for Achutanandan's statement a few years back. He elaborated, "And if he had watched the film, then he would know that 15 years back, his senior, Comrade VS Achuthanandan, came to Delhi to have a press conference to say that the way PFI (Popular Front of India) kind of communal outfits are converting women there, Kerala will turn into Islamic state in the next 20 years. It is on record. The video is available on YouTube. You need not check with me."He went on, "When he did that press conference in Delhi, there was a protest in Kerala. And you know who actually came in support of VS Achuthanandan sir? Mr Pinarayi Vijayan, who was his deputy in the Communist Party - I think he was the joint secretary or something. He supported VS Achuthanandan's concern wholeheartedly."Sen highlighted the irony of Pinarayi's current statement and his actions 15 years back."What he said at that time and what he's saying now are the complete opposite. Which Pinarayi Vijayan sir should I trust?"The filmmaker continued to call himself someone who believes in art, and is unaware of the dynamics of politics. He said, "I am not a politician. I don't understand their style of talking, the style of the strategies of their political life - how it evolves. I'm not the right person to make any comment on any politician's point."He then referred to the film's certification by the censor board, highlighting that due diligence was done while it was originally released in 2023."I will only say the censor board gave a certificate to the film after two months of rigorous checking. They checked the authenticity of each and every dialogue. I stand by every word spoken in the film. I stand by every scene shown in the film. And anybody can challenge my film shot by shot. I am there to answer."advertisement Sen said he would rather focus on the adulation that he's getting for the film, and for the prestigious honour. He said for every Pinarayi Vijayan-like criticism, there are hundreds of congratulatory messages that he would rather read first."The critics are outnumbered in the film. I love my critics. I love my people who praise the film, praise the award, congratulate me. As a human being, I am also a greedy person. I am counting the congratulations. I am right now only reading the congratulatory messages. I will be reading the criticism later," he concluded.'The Kerala Story' won two awards at the 71st National Film Awards - Best Direction, and Best Cinematography. The film follows a group of Kerala women who are coerced into embracing Islam, sexually abused and are eventually made to join ISIS. The initial promos claimed that thousands of Hindu women have been converted to Islam - which was challenged by various a court case, the makers accepted to add two disclaimers, stating that the figures mentioned in the film were "inauthentic and that the movie was a fictionalised depiction of events."- EndsMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Pinarayi Vijayan
New Indian Express
7 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Leaders commemorate VS, say he remoulded self with changing times
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala's socio-political and religious leadership paid homage to former chief minister and veteran Communist V S Achuthanandan on Friday. Inaugurating the programme organised by CPM at Nishagandhi auditorium, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan dismissed the narrative presented now by different corners that it was in his latter years that V S Achuthanandan took a pro-environmental position. 'The protest organised by the Kerala State Karshaka Thozhilali Union against the filling of barren paddy land under VS was an example of how seriously he understood the protection of environment. It was the exemplary organisational work he took up that had shaped the VS that we knew later. His life is interlinked with the Punnapra-Vayalar protest against the then monarchy's attempt to create Travancore an independent nation. He was forced to live underground and was beaten up in the police lock-up. However, VS emerged more powerful,' he said. Remembering the late leader, Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan said that he was astonished by the ability of VS in his later years to study new issues and understand the changes that happened. 'VS remoulded himself with the changing time. VS took on environmental issues in his later years. In his period as CM, I had opposed and criticised him from the opposition benches. However, whenever we brought to his notice the land grabbing issue, he took prompt action. He always had the mind of 'Opposition' even when he took charge of the CM,' he added. CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam said that once in a one-to-one discussion VS raised apprehension about the moral degradation happening in Communist parties. 'When I said that the division could have been averted in the unified Communist party, VS altogether dismissed it and said he did not hold that view,' he said. IUML general secretary P K Kunhalikutty described VS as a leader who had surrendered his life for the uplift of the poor and to fight against injustice. Former union minister V Muralidharan said VS will be best remembered for his decisions and positions taken as a chief minister.
Time of India
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
CPM state committee to organize condolence meeting for V S Achuthanandan at Kanakakunnu
Thiruvananthapuram : CPM state committee will be organising a condolence meeting for former chief minister V S Achuthanandan at 4pm on Friday at Kanakakunnu. "It will be a fitting tribute to V S Achuthanandan, who served in various roles for over six and a half decades," said CPM state committee in a statement. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the commemorative meeting which will be attended by CPM state secretary M V Govindan, opposition leader V D Satheesan, opposition deputy leader P K Kunhalikutty, CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam and KPCC president Sunny Joseph. Major archbishop of Syro-Malankara church cardinal Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, Latin church Thiruvananthapuram archdiocese archbishop Thomas J Netto, Palayam imam V P Suhaib Maulavi, Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham Trust general secretary Swami Subhangananda, Malankara Orthodox Syrian church metropolitan Gabriel Mar Gregorios, Kozhikode archdiocese metropolitan Varghese Chakkalakal, Santhigiri ashram general secretary Swami Gururatnam Jnana Tapaswi, bishop commissioner pastoral board secretary J Jayaraj, bishop Mathews Mor Silvanus (Believers Church), among others, will also attend.
Time of India
27-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Thiruvananthapuram corporation adalat to begin today
Thiruvananthapuram: The city corporation will launch a file adalat under 'Nagarasabha Janangilekku 2.0' initiative from Monday to address pending files and public grievances. The drive, involving all zonal offices and departments, including engineering, revenue, health and PMAY, aims to provide timely legal and administrative solutions. The inaugural session will be held at Ulloor zonal office at 10am and will continue at Sreekaryam zonal office at 2pm. Mayor Arya Rajendran will inaugurate the adalat. Corporation secretary, standing committee chairpersons and departmental heads will attend. The mayor has urged the public to make use of the opportunity by attending the adalat sessions scheduled at their respective zonal offices on the specified dates and times. The adalat will conclude on Aug 4. The adalats were earlier scheduled last week, and it was postponed due to the demise of former chief minister V S Achuthanandan.
Time of India
24-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Income Tax Day observance programme held at Aaykar Bhawan in Kochi
Kochi: The state income tax department organised an Income Tax Day observance programme at Aaykar Bhawan in Kochi on Thursday. The function began with a one-minute silence, marking a respect for former chief minister V S Achuthanandan who passed away on Monday. Mohanlal was the chief guest. Income tax principal chief commissioner (Kerala & Lakshadweep) M Anil Kumar and director general (investigation) P Selvaganesh were also present. Mohanlal launched the state income tax department's official website. The sessions began with the screening of 'The Chairman Speaks', featuring a message from Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) chairman. Selvaganesh delivered the opening address, highlighting the department's technological advancements and its citizen-centric approach. Officers and staff presented cultural programmes.
