‘I haven’t heard of Pushpavathi, Sreekumaran Thampi criticizes singer for interrupting Adoor's speech 

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After Adoor Gopalakrishnan's controversial remarks, veteran poet, lyricist and film producer Sreekumaran Thampi has come forward supporting him. The controversy erupted after Adoor suggested that filmmakers should undergo training before receiving financial assistance.

Sreekumaran Thampi also lashed out at singer Pushpavathi for protesting during Adoor's speech. Sreekumaran Thampi claimed that he was not denigrating women or Dalit filmmakers but rather emphasizing the importance of having sufficient knowledge about cinema.

Sreekumaran Thampi said that he does not know singer Pushpavathi and had not heard her songs. He said the head of the Sangeetha Nataka Akademi and Sahitya Akademi is a member of the ruling party. Sreekumaran Thampi opined that he could not see the value of Rs 1.5 crore in films produced with government assistance.

'Pushpavathi may be a world-class creator. It is ignorant to interrupt a person like Adoor Gopakrishnan while he is speaking. After Adoor's speech, she had a chance to speak. That is fair, but she interrupted in between to show off. Didn't everyone know her? Until then, no one knew her.

I didn't even know. I only have an experience of taking a photo at a railway station. Is she one in the film industry? Songs are not mandatory in films. There are no songs in world films either. Adoor's statement that many come to film festivals to watch vulgar scenes is true, added Adoor.