Sivankutty slams actress over ₹5 lakh fee for School Kalolsavam choreography

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala General Education Minister V. Sivankutty on Wednesday criticized a popular Malayalam film actress for demanding Rs five lakh as remuneration for choreographing the welcome dance and song for the upcoming Kerala School Kalolsavam. Speaking at a program, which was later broadcast by TV channels, the minister called the demand "greed" and "arrogance."

Although the minister did not name the actress, he pointed out that she asked for a substantial payment for teaching children a 10-minute-long presentation. Sivankutty noted that despite achieving fame through youth festivals, such individuals seem to forget their roots and remain insatiable in their demands. He emphasized that the issue lies in the continuous and excessive demands from people who have already attained prominence.

The department has since decided to exclude the actress and instead enlist dedicated artists for the task. Sivankutty remarked that revealing the actress's name would lead to significant media attention.

The minister also highlighted the positive example set by actor Fahad Fazil, who attended last year's Onam celebrations without any remuneration. Sivankutty pointed out that Fahad Fazil had flown in for the event and participated punctually, showcasing a commendable gesture.

The Kerala School Kalolsavam, which will witness the participation of thousands of children, is set to be held in January next year.

With PTI inputs