Malayalam filmmaker Balachandra Menon upset after films get ignored at Keraleeyam Film Festival

Malayalam director Balachandra Menon, who gained recognition for helming films like Samantharangal and Kudumba Puranam, recently expressed his opinion on the Keraleeyam Film Festival. 

The filmmaker questioned the screening of the movies that didn’t even get a theatrical release, while his well-known works were excluded from the line-ups. He added that in his 45-year-long career in the industry wasn’t enough to get a screening for any of his films at the film festival. 

Balachandra Menon expresses dismay with Keraleeyam Film Festival

Balachandra took to his Facebook handle on Wednesday and shared a video addressing the Keraleeyam Film Festival. Discussing his accomplishments in the Malayalam cinema, the filmmaker emphasised his major contributions to Chitranjali and the Kerala State Film Development Corporation, both of which are operated by the Kerala government. 

He stated that Chitranjali studio was even used for filming Samantharangal, his National Award-winning film. Furthermore, Balachandra asked whether the fact that his films support family values and nationalism prevented them from being screened at the Keraleeyam Film Festival. He reiterated that his complaint is more about being a concerned citizen than it is about any personal motive.

Balachandra Menon’s request to the Kerala government 

Balachandra encouraged those in authority to reconsider their choices and expressed his regret for having to make these remarks on Keralapiravi. The Chiriyo Chiri director cautioned the Kerala government that filmmakers shouldn't be forced to follow any one path in a democracy. 

The renowned 69-year-old filmmaker Balachandra Menon began his cinematic career in 1978 with the release of Uthradaratri, a film in which he wrote the story, dialogues, and screenplay in addition to directing. He first appeared in front of the camera in the 1981 film Maniyan Pilla Adhava Maniyan Pilla, which he also produced and directed. 

Notably, Balachandra Menon's performance in Samantharangal earned him the National Award for Best Actor. In 1997, the movie also won the national award for Best Film on Family Welfare.