Malayalam film industry celebrates Kerala's landmark budget move
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Thiruvananthapuram: The Malayalam film industry has welcomed the state government's decision to grant industry status to the cinema sector and announce a series of measures in the state budget aimed at supporting film production and cultural activities.
Actors, directors, producers and technicians from across the industry expressed appreciation for the policy announcements and conveyed their gratitude to Chief Minister VD Satheesan and Cultural Affairs Minister P.C. Vishnunath through social media and other platforms.
Among those who publicly welcomed the decision were actors Mammootty, Mohanlal, Prithviraj, Kunchacko Boban, Dileep, Tovino Thomas and Joy Mathew; singer M.G. Sreekumar; filmmaker and lyricist Sreekumaran Thampi; director Ranjith Sankar; producers Rajaputhra Renjith, Anto Joseph and Badusha; music director Ouseppachan; and producer and dancer Aswathy Nair.
Industry figures described the decision as a major milestone for Malayalam cinema and said the recognition of cinema as an industry could improve the prospects of thousands of people working in the sector. Several members of the film fraternity also welcomed proposals, including the establishment of a cultural park, an anti-piracy cell and a film city named after J.C. Daniel.
Mohanlal said the budget proposals would provide fresh momentum to the film industry, while Kunchacko Boban described the announcement as a new chapter in the history of Malayalam cinema.
Sreekumaran Thampi said the decision fulfilled a long-standing demand of film producers and expressed hope that official recognition of cinema as an industry would improve financing conditions for film production. He also welcomed the proposed J.C. Daniel International Film City.
Tovino Thomas said the government had responded positively to a long-standing demand of cinema workers and noted that the proposed film city and anti-piracy measures would benefit the industry. Joy Mathew described the budget as a source of hope for both cinema and literature.