Complaint lodged against legendary filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan for alleged discriminatory remark

Gopalakrishnan courted controversy by stating that aspiring filmmakers from SC, ST communities should be given intensive training by experts before allotting government grants for film making.

Thiruvananthapuram: Veteran filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan came under strong criticism for his remarks about aspiring filmmakers from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities as well as women.

Dalit activist Dinu Veyil filed complaints with the police and the state SC, ST Commission seeking action against Gopalakrishnan under the SC, ST (Prevention of atrocities) Act.

The commission was learnt to have sought a police report on the matter.

Gopalakrishnan, who is a recipient of Padma Vibhushan and Dadasaheb Phalke award, courted controversy by stating that aspiring filmmakers from the SC, ST communities as well as women should be given intensive training by experts before allotting government grants for film making. 

The statement, which was made at the film conclave organised by the state government in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday,  triggered criticisms that Gopalakrishnan insulted SC, ST communities as well as women.

CPi(M) MP K Radhakrishnan also flayed the veteran film maker's statement. He said that such a statement from a renowned filmmaker would only help certain sections which were trying to bring back the feudal mindsets.

Despite the criticisms, Gopalakrishnan stood by his stand stating that he did not intend to insult any sections but only suggested that the government funds should be effectively utilized