Chief Minister Oommen Chandy presented the state film awards 2012 at a glittering function held here on Monday. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that Malayalam cinema witnessed a quality improvement in the previous year. ‘’About 140 films hit theatres last year, an impressive figure when compared to the previous years. Not just that, a good majority of these films excelled in content and quality,’’ Chandy said. The Chief Minister who lauded former Cinema Minister K B Ganesh Kumar’s efforts, said the government will continue with its antipiracy steps. The Chief Minister presented various awards including J C Daniel award for lifetime achievement in cinema to J Sasikumar. Receiving the award, Sasikumar said the award came as a surprise gift to him. Scheduled Caste Development and Tourism Minister A P Anilkumar, in his presidential address, said that Malayalam cinema was going through a bright period now. “Malayalam cinema which was a trendsetter among other states witnessed a downfall some time ago. But now, the industry has regained its glory,’’ he said. K B Ganesh Kumar, in his address, urged the Chief Minister to ensure continuity for the various initiatives of the Chalachitra Academy and Kerala State Film Development Corporation. ‘’The moving theatre project to take world cinema to the villages in Kerala and the KSFDC project to start theatres in panchayats should be implemented soon. Also important is to take forward the efforts for establishing a Malayalam film archives in Munnar,’’ he said. He also said the national awards which honoured many of the state award winners was a fitting reply to those criticised the state film jury. Ganesh Kumar also released the 75th anniversary programme plan of the Chalachitra Academy. Mayor K Chandrika released the award book by presenting a copy to jury chairman I V Sasi.
'REINSTATE GANESH AS FILM MINISTER'
T’PURAM: The state fi lm award distribution function also turned a forum for the Malayalam fi lm industry to express their solidarity with former Cinema Minister K B Ganesh Kumar. Chalachitra Academy chairman S Priyadarshan, in his welcome address, lauded the support of Ganesh in launching several path-breaking initiatives for the betterment of the industry. ‘’Ganesh Kumar’s tenure was noted for the total absence of piracy in the industry. We urge the Chief Minister to either give us a minister like him or to reinduct him,’’ Priyadarshan said. Veteran director and jury chairman I V Sasi also urged the Chief Minister to reinduct Ganesh as Film minister.