Adoor Gopalakrishnan's Remarks on Funding for Women, SC/ST Filmmakers Spark Major Row (image:x.com/AnupamPKher)
Kerala: Veteran filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s controversial remarks on women and SC/ST filmmakers at a Kerala Film Policy Conclave have sparked huge criticism. The Conclave, a government project, aimed to support women filmmakers, as well as those from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) communities, in the Malayalam film industry
Speaking at the Conclave, Adoor said that the Rs. 1.5 crore funding being provided by the government to women directors and those from the SC community could lead to corruption. He stated that while the intention behind the project is good, at least three months of intensive training should be given to these filmmakers.
Also Read | Kerala Nuns Granted Bail After Week-Long Ordeal In Chhattisgarh Jail
“The government is providing Rs 1.5 crore for filmmakers from the SC/ST communities to make films. I told the Chief Minister that they are creating an opportunity for people to do corruption. The intent is good, but they should be given at least three months of intensive training to make films,” Dadasaheb Phalke awardee said.
The filmmaker further added that the amount should be reduced from Rs. 1.5 crore to Rs 50 lakh. “They need to be taught how a film is made… These are public funds. The amount should be reduced to Rs 50 lakh,” Adoor said.
The Director has also suggested that financial assistance to women filmmakers should not be granted simply due to their gender. “Same goes with women. Don’t give money to make a film just because she is a woman,” he said.
Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cherian had disagreed with him on stage and stated that even ₹1.5 crore is insufficient to make quality films in these times.
In a Facebook post, Higher Education Minister R. Bindu wrote that “it does not matter if one spends time on global film platforms if it does not lead to the broadening of one’s mind and turn one into a better human.”
Also Read | “Pinarayi’s Police Don’t Want A UAPA Accused To Live Here…”: Allan Shuaib Alleges Harassment
Dalit writer and activist Sunny M. Kapicadu has also strongly reacted to Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s statements.
Filmmaker Bijukumar Damodaran said that Adoor Gopalakrishnan is insisting on intensive training only in the case of SC/ST and women filmmakers “because he is using separate lens to look at them.”
Meanwhile, Dalit activist Dinu Veyil lodged a complaint against the filmmaker under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act with the Police and with the Kerala State SC/ST Commission.
