Adoor Gopalakrishnan justifies remarks on film funding for women, marginalised
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Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Eminent filmmaker and Dadasaheb Phalke awardee Adoor Gopalakrishnan on Monday justified his remarks on the Kerala government's project to promote filmmakers from marginalised sections and said his statements were intended to empower them and improve their technical knowledge.
He said he wanted women filmmakers and those belonging to the SC/ST sections to continue in the film industry, and that's why he wanted them to undergo expert training in movie making and on how to utilise government funding.
Speaking to reporters here, the veteran said he was not responsible for the interpretations made by the media about his statements during the government-organised film conclave on Sunday.
He stressed that the films, being made with government finance, should have social relevance, aesthetic beauty, and technical excellence.
Stating the need for those directing films to have knowledge about movie making, Gopalakrishnan said he wanted the filmmakers from the marginalised sections to be updated periodically and get proper orientation under experts.
"The women filmmakers and those belonging to the SC/ST category should be continued in the industry...I said for their good... My intention was their upliftment. I never tried to picture them in a poor light and viewed them as derogatory," he said.
The 'Swayamvaram' director sought to know from the media what was objectionable in his remarks at the conclave.
"I saw films by some of such filmmakers. I felt that there were issues due to the lack of orientation in their films. I specifically mentioned these two categories of directors, as they are financed by the government," he further said.
Besides empowering them and giving them proper guidance, such filmmakers should also be given orientation on how to utilise public funds, he added.
He also criticised singer Pushpavati for interrupting his speech during the conclave and said she had no connection with the cinema.
When reporters asked about a police complaint lodged against him, Gopalakrishnan said, "Let them complain. They have all the rights to the same." Earlier in the day, Dalit activist Dinu Veyil lodged a complaint with the Museum police and SC/ST Commission against Gopalakrishnan, accusing him of insulting the entire backward community through his statements in the conclave.
While Port Minister V N Vasavan extended support to Gopalakrishnan, saying that his words were misinterpreted, Higher Education Minister R Bindhu rejected the veteran's remarks and said the government has the responsibility to ensure justice to those who have been denied all these years.
Gopalakrishnan has not criticised the government's stand, Vasavan said, adding that he just suggested exercising caution while disbursing funds in connection with the funding for filmmakers.
Bindhu, however, said there is nothing wrong with the government providing funds for women and those belonging to the SC/ST community for expressing their creativity.
Stating that filmmaking is an expensive process and there is nothing wrong with providing funds for the same by the government, the minister also said that it is one of the best projects of the cultural affairs department.
Gopalakrishnan on Sunday said the current practice of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC) providing Rs 1.5 crore to prospective filmmakers from marginalised sections has not been producing the desired results.
He said the aspiring filmmakers belonging to these sessions should first undergo proper training by experts before such funds are disbursed.
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Cong leader Prithviraj Chavan defiant after facing verbal missiles on Op Sindoor remarks
Mumbai (PTI): Despite facing criticism, senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan on Wednesday stood by his controversial comments that India faced a "total defeat" in aerial fight with Pakistan on the first day of Operation Sindoor on May 7.
The former Union minister refused to apologise for his comments on the Indian military operation against terror hubs in Pakistan and PoK in aftermath of massacre of tourists at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir in April.
Talking to reporters in Pune on Tuesday, Chavan claimed India faced a "total defeat in the aerial fight (with Pakistan) on May 7 which lasted for half-an-hour".
"One may believe this or not. After that the Indian Air Force got grounded and not a single aircraft took flight that day.... be it Gwalior, Bhatinda or Sirsa, there was a possibility of aircraft being shot down, so our complete Air Force was grounded," the former Maharashtra chief minister had said.
Hitting out at Chavan, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde accused the Congress of speaking the language of Pakistan. He said questioning the military action was akin to demoralising the morale of armed forces.
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"The criticism does not stem from the love of the nation, but love for Pakistan," said the chief leader of the Shiv Sena, a key constituent of the BJP-led NDA.
Chavan, however, remained defiant.
"There is no question of apologising. The Constitution has given me the right to ask questions," the Congress veteran asserted.
Chavan also questioned the need of having a 12-lakh strong Army when future wars will be about aerial combats and missiles. "During Operation Sindoor we saw that there was no movement of the Army even for a kilometre," he had said.
BJP Lok Sabha MP and spokesperson Sambit Patra said Chavan's remarks are loaded with sedition.
"He (Chavan) has refused to apologise. The Indian armed forces struck 100 kms inside the Pakistan territory and destroyed 11 air strips (of the Pakistani Air Force). He made remarks that the Indian Army did not even move an inch (during the military operation). This is nothing but a statement full of sedition, a statement of a traitor," Patra said, lashing out at the Congress leader.
The BJP spokesperson maintained the Congress appears to be standing with Chavan and alleged the Opposition party is playing into foreign hands.
Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra should apologise for it, he added.
Union minister Giriraj Singh of the BJP insisted it was not right to devalue the valour of Indian armed forces.
Samajwadi Party MP Virendra Singh suggested that wherever armed forces are concerned, every Indian should be mindful of statements they make and ensure their comments do not demoralise the military.
Operation Sindoor was a result of "mistakes of politicians", he claimed.
TDP MP Krishna Devraylu said after the poll defeat in Bihar, the Congress is rattled and their leaders have been talking absurdly.
"Chavan's remarks are a prime example of this. This kind of disrespect to our armed forces is not necessary. If the Congress is angry with the NDA, it should show it in a different way and not drag armed forces into it," Devraylu opined.
AAP MP Ashok Mittal said such statements should not be made by any senior politician, especially by someone who has been a former chief minister.
The Indian armed forces registered a strong victory and destroyed terror launchpads in Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, Mittal added.
