'People from Scheduled Caste communities who want to make films should be given proper training, money should not be spent unnecessarily'; Adoor Gopalakrishnan sparks controversy

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan has sparked a controversy by making an offensive remark at the closing ceremony of the Cinema Conclave. Speaking at the ceremony, he said that people from Scheduled Caste communities who want to make films should first be given proper training. He also lashed out at the Film Corporation, saying that it should not spend money unnecessarily and that the amount of Rs 1.50 crore given was excessive. Adoor added that women should not be given opportunities solely based on their gender.

“The strike at the K. R. Narayanan Film Institute was a dirty one. It happened because we tried to bring discipline. The protest took place when the institute was on its way to becoming the number one institution in India. We took charge when the institute was in ruins, and now it has been reduced to nothing. Even the television industry is in a bad state, with no good programs at all.”

Adoor made these comments while Kerala State Chalachitra Academy Chairman Premkumar and others were present on the stage.

Following his remarks, several people in the audience, including filmmakers, raised objections. Singer Pushpalatha questioned Adoor’s statement, saying that filmmaking itself is a process of learning. However, Adoor continued with his speech, ignoring the protests.