Academy row takes a new turn

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JUNE 9. The controversy over the functioning of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy has taken a new turn with its chairman, Mr. Shaji N. Karun, claiming that Mr. John Sankaramangalam has not resigned from vice-chairmanship.

At a press conference here on Saturday, on the occasion of the completion of the term of the Academy general council, Mr. Karun claimed that neither he nor the Culture Minister had received Mr. Sankaramangalam's resignation.

"This is utter falsehood," said Mr. Sankaramangalam, reacting to Mr. Karun's claim. "I had posted the resignation letter dated April 16 and I am sure that the Minister's office received it. Mr. Karun's claim reeks of hanky-panky."

Mr. Karun reacted to Mr. Sankaramangalam's statement that the Academy's proposal to start a tele-cine unit costing Rs. 2.5 crores was ludicrous. "Mr. Sankaramangalam claims that a tele- cine unit can function without loss only if it handles 1,000 films a year. Even the whole of the country does not make so many films a year? In the absence of a tele-cine in the State, we have to rely on units elsewhere."

Mr. Sankaramangalam said most of the private tele-cine units outside the State had been closed down because they were functioning at a loss. "Only such bodies as Doordarshan can use a tele-cine profitably."

Asked why the Academy had gone ahead with the appointment to three posts sans Government order, Mr. Karun said no Government would initially agree to post more people. "We had gone ahead with the appointment after informing the secretary. Allegations of graft are baseless."

Replying to the allegations of having favoured his former assistant, Mr. R. Sharath, at the film festival by screening his film, `Sayahnam' at the finale, evading norms and the consent of the general council and the executive committee, Mr. Karun claimed that he presented the film with the Culture Minister's approval. "Award-winning Malayalam films had not been presented at the Kochi and Kozhikode festivals because there were no screening facilities at the valedictory venues."

He said the services of a local freight company were sought last year because the international company that had earlier handled the Academy's work was closed down.

He claimed that the Academy had succeeded in spreading a meaningful film culture in the State. "A few things could be done, but I am sad that I could not realise some of my plans, conceived with a vision, for want of support. We could not create a proper ambience for an international festival."

He criticised the Open Forum, saying it had not progressed much from its inception in 1988. "We all know what was being done at the fora. On the other hand, they should have discussed serious socio-cultural issues."

Asked about the alleged strained relations between the Academy and the Federation of Film Societies of India, Mr. Karun replied that the Academy had done its best to help the FFSI. "Most of the film societies had been inactive when the Academy came on the scene. We set up 200 new film societies and the Janachitra library has more than 700 video copies of classics."

He said a former member of the Academy, who was there for personal gains and with whom he could not get along with, had resorted to character assassination. "As a filmmaker, I lost three years. I could have completed a film, `Kadal', that I had planned. I undertook the assignment at the Academy because I had a social conscience."

He challenged those who levelled allegations against him and the Academy to prove them. "If they can't prove, they should apologise to the public."

Did he visit the Chief Minister, Mr. A.K. Antony, thrice, seeking renewal of his chairmanship? "You should ask the Chief Minister about this."

Would he continue as chairman, if the Government asked him to? "They won't ask me to. I won't continue. That is why I'm here to meet you."

His advice to his successor? "Think ahead of time."

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Section  : Southern States
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