Attractive packages for films; Rs 7 crore for women directors to make feature films

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Finance Minister K N Balagopal announced special packages for the film sector in the 2026 state budget. The minister informed that Rs 16 crores will be provided for the functioning of the Chalachitra Academy.

Permanent drama theatres will be built to honor Thoppil Bhasi, P J Antony and K T Muhammed. 7 crores will be provided to women directors to make feature films. 1.5 crores will be provided for the M T Memorial Cultural Centre. The minister also informed in the budget presentation that the budget allocation for arts and culture has been increased to 30 percent.

Finance Minister K N Balagopal began the budget presentation at 9 am. He started by criticizing the Centre. He said that Kerala has grown despite the Centre’s severe neglect. Centre was criticised for suffocating Kerala and cutting tax revenue. This is the twelfth budget presentation of the Pinarayi Vijayan government and the sixth of Minister K N Balagopal.