Filmmaker Shaji Kailas, actor Prithviraj apologise for insensitive lines about differently-abled kids in 'Kaduva'

Ever since the netizens have pointed out the derogatory dialogues against differently-abled children in a scene from the Malayalam movie Kaduva, the makers of the movie and its lead actor Prithviraj Sukumaran have been receiving flak on social media.

Now filmmaker Shaji Kailas has shared an apology note on his social media.

"Sorry. It was a mistake. We acknowledge and accept it. Apologies for the hurtful reference to the parents of differently-abled children in my film 'Kaduva'. That conversation piece is a sleight of hand. The only request is to forgive the human error."

In a sequence from the movie, the protagonist played by Prithviraj says that differently-abled children are born with such conditions as a result of the sins of their parents

Resharing the post, the actor admitted his mistake and offered an apology.

This comes as the State Commission for Persons with Disabilities had on Saturday issued notices to Shaji Kailas and producers Supriya Menon and Listin Stephen based on a complaint filed by 'Parivaar', an association of parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Also, the makers have reportedly removed the scene from the movie.

The director in his apology note further said, "The truth is that neither the screenwriter Jinu while writing such a dialogue, nor the hero Prithviraj while preparing the scene, nor I thought of other aspects of it. The only intention behind it was to convince him and the audience of the cruelty of the villain's actions. For ages we hear the words that the consequences of what we do will be felt by our future generations. (Remember the Bible saying, 'The fathers ate green grapes, and the children's teeth were set on edge') Whenever people talk about the results of their children's actions, people repeat it. Those words that came from Prithviraj's character in this movie were also human. A perfectly ordinary man, oblivious to wrongs or their emotional implications, begs to see them as mere words uttered in a momentary fit of emotion. This does not mean that children with disabilities suffer as a result of the actions of their parents. There is never such a thing, even in our remotest thoughts."

He concluded by saying, "I am a father who loves his children. Even when they fall a little, I get pain. Then I can understand the mental state of parents of differently-abled children without anyone else telling me. The parents' notes showed that the words in the movie were hurt. Please understand that the most precious thing in the world is your children and you live for them... Sorry...Once again, I apologize knowing that these words will not solve your emotional distress."

Produced by Supriya Menon of Prithviraj Productions, Kaduva also stars Vivek Oberoi as an antagonist. Samyukhta Menon plays the female lead in the movie.