Veteran filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan defended his controversial remarks on government support for marginalised filmmakers, saying his intent was to empower them through expert training and better use of public funds
Adoor Gopalkrishnan
Eminent filmmaker and Dadasaheb Phalke awardee Adoor Gopalakrishnan on Monday justified his remarks on the Kerala government's project to promote filmmakers from marginalised sections and said his statements were intended to empower them and improve their technical knowledge.
Adoor Gopalakrishnan says his comments were misinterpreted
The veteran filmmaker said that he wants women filmmakers and those belonging to the SC/ST sections to undergo expert training in movie-making and on how to utilise government funding. He said that he wanted them to continue in the film industry. Speaking to reporters here, the veteran said he was not responsible for the interpretations made by the media about his statements during the government-organised film conclave on Sunday.
"The women filmmakers and those belonging to the SC/ST category should be continued in the industry...I said for their good... My intention was their upliftment. I never tried to picture them in a poor light and viewed them as derogatory," he said clarifying his earlier remark.
Stating the need for those directing films to have knowledge about movie making, Gopalakrishnan said he wanted the filmmakers from the marginalised sections to be updated periodically and get proper orientation under experts.
"I saw films by some of such filmmakers. I felt that there were issues due to the lack of orientation in their films. I specifically mentioned these two categories of directors, as they are financed by the government," he further said.
Besides empowering them and giving them proper guidance, such filmmakers should also be given orientation on how to utilise public funds, he added.
Gopalkrishnan on police complaints against him
He also criticised singer Pushpavati for interrupting his speech during the conclave and said she had no connection with the cinema. When reporters asked about a police complaint lodged against him, Gopalakrishnan said, "Let them complain. They have all the rights to the same."
Earlier in the day, Dalit activist Dinu Veyil lodged a complaint with the Museum police and SC/ST Commission against Gopalakrishnan, accusing him of insulting the entire backward community through his statements in the conclave.
What did Adoor Gopalkrishnan said?
Veteran filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan stirred a controversy at the Kerala government’s Film Policy Conclave with comments perceived as dismissive towards women and Scheduled Caste (SC) filmmakers who receive financial support from the Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC).
During his speech, Adoor expressed concern that the Rs 1.5 crore allocated for SC and ST filmmakers could be misused. “I had earlier pointed out to the Chief Minister that this amount could lead to corruption. But no corrective action has been taken,” he said. He suggested that instead of awarding Rs 1.5 crore to a single filmmaker, it would be more effective to support three filmmakers with Rs 50 lakh each.
He criticised the current approach of allocating funds, arguing that public money collected through taxes should not be distributed arbitrarily. “Many people believe that just by applying, they are entitled to receive money to make a film. That’s a wrong notion,” he said.
He also took a swipe at the recent protests at the K.R. Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts, claiming that the agitation was aimed at undermining attempts to restore discipline at the instituteAccording to him, the protests ultimately contributed to the institution’s decline. Adoor concluded by reiterating that government funding should not be directed towards commercial ventures but should promote quality cinema. His remarks have sparked backlash from sections of the film industry and civil society, with many criticising the tone and timing of his statements at a conclave aimed at shaping inclusive film policy.
(with inputs from PTI)
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