'I don't think I was insulted'; Rapper Vedan corrects remarks against minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Rapper Vedan has corrected his remarks against Minister Saji Cherian. Vedan said that he does not think that the minister insulted him and that the minister is someone who has accepted and appreciated him as an artist. He said that the award will give him and independent artists like him a chance to write a lot.

Rapper Vedan had earlier said that Saji Cherian's remark that "even rapper Vedan got an award" was an insult to him and that he would respond to it through a song.
"I have nothing to say to those who criticize the award. I see the award as a great recognition. The award is not part of political support. I am not a member of any political party. Continuous cases have affected my work. I feel that I should be a little more careful in my personal life. I lack the maturity that comes with age. Saji Cherian's words are tantamount to insulting me. I will respond to this through a song. There is no further response," Vedan had said earlier.

"Mohanlal was accepted, Mammootty was accepted, even Vedan was accepted. Film awards were announced for five years without any complaints," Saji Cherian had said. However, after the Vedan remark became controversial, the minister came forward with an explanation. Saji Cherian had explained that the word 'even Vedan' should not be twisted and that he had only used Vedan's words.

Vedan won the State Film Award for Best Lyricist for the song Kuthanthram (Viyarppu thunniyitta kuppaayam) in Manjummel Boys. There has been widespread criticism against giving the State Film Award to a man facing sexual harassment cases.