Thiruvananthapuram: Prominent actor Balachandra Menon criticized the Kerala Government for not including his films in the film festival organized as part of the Keraleeyam Mahotsavam 2023. Not a single film by Balachandra Menon is included in the film festival, which is presented as a representation of Malayalam cinema as a whole. It is this predicament that Balachandra Menon pointed out through a video.
Even movies that are not seen in theaters are screened in this festival as a showcase of Malayalam cinema. More than one film of certain directors has even found its name in the list. But not a single film of Balachandra Menon is shown. Balachandra Menon had made movies like ‘Achuvettande Veedu’ which is a female oriented film and ‘Chiriyo Chiri’ a comedy film. ‘Chiriyo Chiri’ was a trend setter in Malayalam cinema. After that came a series of comedy films including ‘Nadodikaattu’. There are popular movies like ‘April Pathinettu’ also. “Are these not eligible films? Who made that decision? This is an unjust act,” Balachandra Menon said.
“I am an actor who has cooperated the most with the government initiatives like Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC) and Chitranjali. The movie ‘Samantharangal’ was shot in Chitranjali. It won the National Award. In that film, I handled ten departments. It is a record in the history of world cinema. Even ‘Samantharangal’ is absent in this film festival. Why is it not included? Isn’t it a prestige film of Chitranjali? Is it not an inappropriate film to show there? Government should give me an answer,” said Blachandra Menon.
Balachandra Menon reminded the Kerala government that being in a democratic nation, they should not expect that the filmmakers will do anything they are force into. “Is it a mistake to bring nationalism in my movies? Did I make a mistake in propagating through my films that family is the foundation of everything and family should be kept well,” Balachandra Menon asked.
“Like mine, no film of director Mohan was seen in this list. That’s bad too,” Menon added. Balachandra Menon said that he is saying all this because, being a citizen of this country, it is his duty to question this injustice. He said that he felt ashamed that he had to say this in the morning on the Kerala Piravi (Kerala Formation Day) and whoever was responsible for it should also bow their heads in shame.
Balachandra Menon made these criticisms in a video uploaded on his YouTube channel.
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