The filmmaker alleged that the KSFDC officials were angry at her for filing a complaint with the Minister of Cultural Affairs.
Indu Lakshmi has raised serious allegations against KSFDC. (Supplied)
Nila, the much-publicised Kerala State Film Development Corporation’s (KSFDC) film directed by the Women’s Project, is facing criticism from filmmaker Indu Lakshmi.
In an exclusive chat with South First, the director said she is going through difficult times and has no clarity on how the promotional activities of Nila would be organised.
The film is slated for release on 4 August.
Indu Lakshmi alleged that some KSFDC officials are delaying the approvals for marketing, music rights and distribution of Nila.
“The promotions of a movie usually start a month before its release. However, the KSFDC officials are least bothered about launching any promotional activities. I can’t move forward without a marketing team.”
In her Facebook post, the director accused the KSFDC Film Officer of delaying the necessary approvals for marketing and other promotional activities of the film.
Indu Lakshmi revealed that the KSFDC officials were angry at her for lodging a complaint with the Minister of Cultural Affairs against them and hence are delaying the needed approvals for Nila.
She stated that the official deadlines given for deciding the promotional activities weren’t met.
Though she had been sending e-mails and letters to the KSFDC since April, reminding them about the promotional activities of NIla, the tender for these purposes was called only last week, she alleged.
Indu Lakshmi added that the Culture Ministry had been helpful and her letter in April addressed to the Minister for Culture Saji Cherian led to the decision to release Nila in August.
Indu Lakshmi on the sets of ‘Nila’. (Supplied)
She also wrote a moving note on her Facebook account stating that she will continue with her one-woman fight as Nila will release in fewer centres and the KSFDC might win their game.
She further added: “It won’t be an easy win for them. When I hold the blood of my own work within me, helplessly watching it die inside me, won’t be just silent anymore. They can’t silence me anymore.”
Earlier, Indu Lakshmi wrote the script for the Malayalam feature film Daayam (2022) which has been selected in the viewing room recommendations by National Film Development Corporation.
She wrote three books (Riddles of Time, Smile of Buddha, and Muses of A Movie Maker) and is also the writer-director of many national and international award-winning short films.
Established in 1975, KSFDC is the first public sector corporation for film development in India.
The project for women filmmakers is part of the Kerala government’s efforts to uplift and empower women. It’s a seminal initiative to promote women-led creative projects in the State.
The movies made under this project reflect different perspectives and approaches to the lived experiences of women.
Divorce (2023), Nishiddho (Forbidden) (2022), and B 32 Muthal 44 Vare (2023) are some of the films that were released recently under this scheme.
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