'Film producers a neglected lot'

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, SEPT. 28.

The Government has done nothing so far to support and encourage the producers of Malayalam cinema, Mr. Kireedom Unni and Mr. Suresh Kumar, film producers, have said.

At an Open Forum held at the Soorya Festival here today, they said there was a common misconception that most of the film producers were rolling in wealth.

"The truth is that about 90 per cent of them are deep in debt. Film-making is a completely risky venture these days. We, producers, pay crores as tax, but get nothing in return from the Government," they said.

Mr. Unni said it was unfair that entertainment tax for both Malayalam and non-native films were the same in the State.

Mr. Suresh Kumar said the facilities at the Chitranjali studio owned by the Kerala State Film Development Corporation were inadequate. "Having made many films at Chitranjali, I have also found that the way they treat film-makers leaves much to be desired. Small wonder then that Malayalam film-making is still based outside the State."

Mr. Subramaniam Santhakumar alleged that vested interests have conspired to not include his film, `Mankolangal', in the Indian Panorama section of the International Film Festival of India. "My film had won the FIPRESCI award, and critical attention at the Locarno and London festivals. Yet, strangely, the Indian Panorma jury found that the film was not of a good standard."

Mr. Santhakumar said the industry status to cinema would only help big mainstream producers and not makers of small-budget alternative films.

Dr. M.K. Parameswaran Nair of Filca was the moderator.

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