Adoor Gopalakrishnan Faces Backlash Over Remarks on Kerala’s Film Scheme for Women and SC-ST Filmmakers

Thiruvananthapuram: Iconic filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan is facing sharp criticism for his recent remarks questioning the Kerala government’s flagship scheme aimed at supporting aspiring women and Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) filmmakers.

Speaking at a government-organised ‘Cinema Policy Conclave’ earlier this week, Adoor raised concerns about the way public funds are being spent under the initiative. He questioned the efficacy of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation’s (KSFDC) practice of directly financing debut filmmakers from marginalised communities, arguing that such financial aid has not delivered the desired outcomes.

The 84-year-old veteran contended that filmmaking is a craft that needs to be learned before being funded. “Instead of handing over a single grant of ₹1.5 crore to one individual, it would be more prudent to distribute ₹50 lakh each to three aspirants,” he suggested, advocating a more inclusive and skill-oriented approach to nurturing talent.

His remarks, particularly his sharp retort to a female playback singer who disagreed with him during the conclave, sparked outrage among many attendees and beyond. Several sections of society, particularly within the left-liberal and cultural circles, have strongly criticised Adoor’s comments, accusing him of being insensitive and elitist.

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The scheme, launched by the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, was promoted as a pioneering initiative to offer financial and institutional support to first-time women and SC-ST filmmakers — groups historically excluded from mainstream cinema due to social and economic barriers. Late filmmaker and then KSFDC Chairman Shaji N Karun, who was instrumental in the scheme’s rollout, had described it as the first of its kind in the country, aimed at democratising access to the film industry.

In the wake of Adoor’s comments, criticism has poured in from across the political and cultural spectrum. While some political parties and film industry insiders have distanced themselves from his views, others have condemned them outright. Critics have accused the filmmaker of displaying an “upper-caste complex” and perpetuating an elitist mindset, arguing that his stance reeks of exclusionary cultural privilege.

Adding to the furore, a Dalit activist has reportedly filed a police complaint against Adoor under the SC-ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Despite the growing backlash, Adoor remains unrepentant. He has clarified that his intention was never to target any community but to stress that government funds should be judiciously used to support quality cinema and genuine talent. “Good cinema requires training, not just funding,” he reiterated.

This is not the first time the acclaimed filmmaker has courted controversy. Known for his uncompromising views and intellectual convictions, Adoor has often found himself at odds with the Left ecosystem in Kerala. Decades ago, one of his films that critiqued the degeneration of the Left legacy in the state drew severe backlash from Marxists and pro-Left cultural figures.

More recently, he stirred controversy by defending the then-director of the state-run K.R. Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts in Kottayam, who was facing widespread student protests.

Adoor Gopalakrishnan, a recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award and several national and international honours, remains one of India’s most revered filmmakers. His works have been screened at prestigious film festivals across the globe, and he continues to be regarded by many as a towering figure in Indian cinema, often placed alongside greats like Satyajit Ray and Mrinal Sen.

However, this episode has reignited a debate in Kerala’s cultural circles — whether respected artists should exercise more restraint while commenting on sensitive social issues, especially those involving marginalised communities.