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Time of India
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
M.B. Padmakumar's emotional outburst after Sibi Malayil's shocking remarks: "You threw sand in my rice bowl"
There has been a huge controversy in the Malayalam film industry involving two popular directors, Sibi Malayil and M. Padmakumar . It broke out after Sibi Malayil had said a few negative words regarding Padmakumar's new film Janaki vs State of Kerala, which greatly pained Padmakumar. He shared an emotional video response, come, let's see what he has to say about this. The controversy centers around two prominent figures in Malayalam cinema —veteran director Sibi Malayil and filmmaker M.B. Padmakumar. Sibi Malayil is widely regarded as one of the most acclaimed directors in the industry, known for his powerful, emotive storytelling that has shaped Malayalam cinema over the decades. On the other hand, M.B. Padmakumar is celebrated for his socially conscious and emotionally charged films, earning a reputation as a hardworking and sincere filmmaker deeply committed to meaningful cinema. The Controversy Between Them According to the reports of TheIndianExpress, the disagreement began during a discussion around the current censorship issues related to the film Janaki vs State of Kerala, where the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) demanded a change in the film's title. While commenting on this controversy, Sibi Malayil also brought up upcoming film Token Number directed by padmakumar referring to it as a 'small film' meant for festivals and 'award purposes. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo ' Emotional Video Response Padmakumar was deeply hurt by these remarks. He shared an emotional video response via his official YouTube channel titled "Just kill me, Mr Sibi Malayil". In the video, Padmakumar strongly objected to his film being called a 'small' or 'award film.' He questioned whether Sibi Malayil had even watched his movie before passing such remarks. Padmakumar also expressed that how he had put in immense effort, seven months of hard work, sleepless nights, and financial investment into making 'Token Number'. He said the film was not made just for awards but for audiences and theatres and calling it 'small' was insulting and deeply discouraging. Padmakumar's Point of View What hurt Padmakumar even more was the real-life consequences he had to face because of Sibi Malayil's comment. A film distributor, who had initially agreed to release Token Number, withdrew after hearing that it was an 'award film', he shared how this remark cost him an opportunity to release his film and threatened his livelihood. He said, 'You threw sand in my rice bowl,' meaning that Sibi's words directly impacted his film career. Criticism of Large Production Houses Padmakumar also pointed out how difficult it is for independent filmmakers in the film industry. He criticized how people in power often ignore or look down on small budget films made without big stars or large production houses. He said it's easy for top directors to speak from comfortable positions, but creators like him have to struggle to make their voices heard. He called out this inequality and urged people not to judge a film without watching it. Even after all this, Padmakumar said he won't give up. He plans to release Token Number on his own, by renting screens and promoting it independently. He challenged Sibi Malayil to watch the film before making any judgments. He added that if people honestly feel the film is bad after watching it, he will stop making movies altogether. But until then, he just wants a fair chance for his work to be seen and appreciated.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Kill me, Sibi Malayil': MB Padmakumar tears into legendary filmmaker over ‘unfair' comments on his movie amid Janaki vs State of Kerala controversy
While the controversy over the Central Board of Film Certification's (CBFC) alleged demand to change the title of the upcoming Malayalam film Janaki vs State of Kerala continues to fume, with various film organisations launching public protests as well, another row has emerged alongside it, drawing legendary filmmaker Sibi Malayil into the spotlight. This 'sub-controversy' began after director MB Padmakumar took offence to certain remarks Sibi made about his upcoming film while speaking on the broader issue surrounding Janaki vs State of Kerala. Padmakumar also claimed that Sibi's comments have negatively impacted his film's release. Speaking to the media, Sibi recently recalled that Padmakumar's film Token Number had faced a similar situation with the CBFC, where certification was initially denied unless specific changes were made, particularly to the names of the lead characters. Since Padmakumar's was a 'small film', Sibi said, the director himself resolved the issue by changing the name. According to The Hindu, Padmakumar revealed that although there was no official communication from the CBFC regarding the alleged issues with Token Number, the board's Mumbai headquarters refused certification until he changed the name of one of the protagonists, Janaki or Abraham. This was despite the film receiving clearance from the CBFC's regional office. 'A film by a director named Padmakumar also had a similar issue concerning a name. That film also had Janaki in it. The Censor Board decided that it would not be approved or certified without changing the name 'Janaki'. It's a small film, one made to be sent to film festivals. The director handled it directly himself,' Sibi claimed. Taking offence to the veteran director's apparent dismissal of his movie as merely a 'small film' or 'award film', Padmakumar alleged that Sibi's remarks caused the distributor, who had agreed to release the film, to back out. Padmakumar added that when he initially faced difficulties with the CBFC, he had approached several members of film associations but received no help. 'Who told Sibi Malayil sir that my film is an 'award film' or a 'small film'? If there are no superstars or if it's not a big-budget film, it automatically becomes a small film or what, sir? And the audience shouldn't see it, is that it, sir? Did you even see the film, sir, or did you know anything about it? Isn't this exactly what the Censor Board also did? Didn't they approach it with prejudice without even watching the film? Do you know something, sir? This is a film I made by toiling for the last seven months, sacrificing my food and sleep.' 'After all was done, I finally got the film censored. I got it done feeling defeated and scared. After that, it had to reach theatres, but it had no superstars. Sir, this film's face is that of the many people who have dreamed of cinema for years; their livelihood is the very content of this film. Without superstars, it's incredibly difficult to get a theatre screen. No distributor will come forward. With great difficulty and by paying from my own pocket, I had arranged for a person to distribute it. Do you know what he told me after hearing your comment? He called me and said, 'You told me this was a big film that the audience would love. But now Sibi Malayil himself has said it's a small film. I am not investing money in an 'award film'.' Sir, you have thrown sand in my rice bowl,' Padmakumar said in a video, titled 'Just kill me, Mr Sibi Malayil', shared via his official YouTube channel.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
‘Cultural chokehold': Mollywood fumes over censorship
KOCHI: A name as old as ancient mythology has ignited a modern-day firestorm in Kerala's film industry. Janaki vs State of Kerala (JSK), a yet-to-be-released courtroom drama, has triggered furious anger among filmmakers, artists and producers, all rallying against what they call the 'arbitrary and choking' decisions of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). On Monday, the who's who of Mollywood — including FEFKA, KFPA and AMMA members — gathered outside the CBFC office in Thiruvananthapuram, venting frustration over a censorship regime they claim is becoming unpredictable, unreasonable and ruinous for creativity. 'This isn't just about Janaki, this is about artistic survival,' thundered Renji Panicker, head of FEFKA's Directors' Union. 'What next? Will filmmakers have to name their characters One, Two, and Three because religious names are off-limits? This is a cultural chokehold.' The immediate trigger? The CBFC's objection to protagonists called Janaki, a revered name for Ramayana's Sita, in two films, JSK and Token Number. While mythological names in films are nothing new (think Seeta Aur Geeta or Ram Lakhan), filmmakers are now being asked to rewrite, re-dub, and essentially re-construct their films post-production to appease the board's new sensibilities. The Kerala High Court itself was baffled. 'If Ram Lakhan and Seeta Aur Geeta didn't raise eyebrows, why Janaki?' the court asked while hearing a petition filed by JSK's producer Cosmos Entertainment. But the damage is done. Director M B Padmakumar was forced to rename his Token Number heroine to avoid a stand-off with censors. 'The issue was not just her name, it was her relationship with another character, Abraham,' he said. 'We had to fight, but eventually we gave in. And we're not alone.' Even L2: Empuraan, starring industry giants Mohanlal and Prithviraj, wasn't spared. After a storm of right-wing outrage post-release, the film was voluntarily re-edited and re-certified, delaying its rollout and denting its momentum. 'It's now a guessing game,' lamented KFPA vice president G Suresh Kumar. 'You finish shooting, editing, spend crores, and then you're told to change character names to get a certificate? That's not just censorship. That's sabotage.'
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
The widening grip of intolerance
Navigating the cultural landscape these days is akin to treading a minefield. It is becoming evident that the most innocuous creative expressions can blow up to become heated controversies. Over the past week in Kerala, everything from a character named Janaki in a film to Zumba dance performances by school students has angered some section or the other. Religion happens to be the common thread running through most of these controversies. What's in a name? Though the regional office of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) cleared the film Janaki v/s State of Kerala starring Union Minister Suresh Gopi, the CBFC headquarters in Mumbai demanded a change in the title as well as of the name of the titular character, Janaki, which is another name for goddess Sita. They told the filmmakers through unofficial channels that a survivor of sexual violence cannot be named after Sita. The makers of another film, Token Number, were also forced to change the name of a character from Janaki to Jayanthi after the Board objected to a character with that name having a relationship with a man named Abraham. Given such arbitrary directives, it will likely become impossible to use a common name in a film's title or for a character. These instances show a disturbing tendency of the CBFC taking over the duties of the 'hurt sentiments' group and widening the scope of censorship. The Kerala High Court has pulled up the CBFC, while film bodies in Kerala are up in arms against the body. Questioning moral values While these two controversies raged on, joyful videos of school students of all ages dancing together in Zumba classes filled social media timelines in the State. The Kerala government launched Zumba sessions in schools and colleges this academic year as a part of its efforts to reduce stress and channelise the interests and energy of students away from drugs into positive alternatives. However, even this made a section of people unhappy. Ultra conservative Islamist groups including Wisdom Islamic Organisation and the Sunni Yuvajana Sangham, the youth wing of the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, opposed the plan, branding the aerobic dance workout practice as a degradation of 'moral values' and a violation of Islamic religious values. Some clerics claimed that students will be made to wear 'skimpy clothes' while performing Zumba even though the students were seen wearing their school uniforms in all the videos on social media. Such opposition to a relaxing workout revealed the misogyny of the clerics as well as their fears about the inter-mingling of genders. In the past, citing religious reasons, some of these Islamic organisations have opposed the government's decision to introduce a gender-neutral uniform in schools and to do away with separate benches for girls and boys. The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) government has refused to back down on its Zumba plan. The General Education Minister, V. Sivankutty, said that the stand taken by these groups will only help fuel majority communalism. The CPI(M) General Secretary, M.A. Baby, who as the State Education Minister in 2008 faced a controversy over a rationalist lesson in a textbook, said that religious organisations can comment on educational issues, but they cannot dictate terms. Curiously, the Bharatiya Vichara Kendram, a Sangh Parivar think tank, also criticised the State government for promoting 'foreign practices' such as Zumba. It claimed that the government's agenda was to sideline yoga trainers. Beyond the cultural sphere, the campaigns of orthodox Islamic groups against vaccination have had dire consequences. Two days ago, a one-year-old child died of jaundice in Malappuram after his parents, both practitioners of alternative medicine, allegedly denied him vaccination and treatment. They also buried the child in mysterious circumstances. Worrying trend In Kerala, there are an increasing number of fundamentalist voices from different sides of the religious spectrum. Their narrow diktats on creative expressions as well as on issues that are beyond the boundaries of their understanding on religion does not augur well for a State that takes pride in its general progressive, secular outlook. The government and civil society need to push back with all vigour to isolate such intolerant voices.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Malayalam film organisations put up united front against CBFC to say 'no cuts'
A defiant slogan of protest 'Start, action, no cuts' rang out in the air at the Chitranjali Studio complex in the capital on Monday, as a group of filmmakers, actors and technicians symbolically threw the scissors that they were holding up into the dustbin. The occasion had all the sense of drama typical of the films many of them have been part of, but this was to serve a much more serious purpose—to protest against the alleged increase in censorship of films. The regional office of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) located inside the studio complex witnessed the coming together of various Malayalam film bodies for a common cause. The immediate provocation was the demand of the officials at the CBFC headquarters in Mumbai to the makers of the film JSK-Janaki vs State of Kerala, starring Union Minister Suresh Gopi, to change the title of the film. Another film, Token Number directed by M.B. Padmakumar, also faced a similar issue over the name 'Janaki' given to a character. Representatives of the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA), Kerala Film Producers Association (KFPA) and the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) came together for the protest. Posters of past films with 'Janaki' in the title were displayed to send a message to the censors. Filmmakers and producers called for proper guidelines for censoring to prevent arbitrary decision-making, as happened in the case of JSK. To ensure freedom B. Unnikrishnan, general secretary, FEFKA, expressed hope that the protest would be taken up by the civil society in Kerala and cultural activists across the country. 'We don't see JSK as a film starring a Union Minister. Cinema also belongs to the filmmaker, the screenwriter and the producer. We see this as an issue that producers are facing. This protest is not just for this film. It is to ensure that all of us will continue to have the freedom to make the kind of films that we want to make. This campaign is just a beginning,' he said. Producer M. Renjith said that the attempts at censoring were anti-democratic. Such tendencies would branch out of cinema into other spheres of life too, he said. Filmmaker Shaji Kailas cautioned against giving a communal colour to everything. 'Will they have a problem with my name too?' he asked.
