Actor says he’s being targeted for political views

TRIVANDRUM: Award-winning actor Salim Kumar has accused Kerala’s communist-led government of sidelining him for his political views favouring the opposition Congress party.

He was registering his protest for not being invited to the second leg of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) opening in the port city of Kochi on Wednesday.

Twenty-five award-winning film personalities from the central Kerala region were to light a traditional lamp marking the opening of the regional session of the festival organised by the state government.

But Kumar, who won many accolades including the national award for the best actor for his performance in Adaminte Makan Abu in 2010, was not among them.

“When I called an official and asked why I’m being kept out, he said I was too old to be invited,” he said.

“Later, another official called me and said I would also be invited. I told him I’m not here to extract an invitation to be present on the dais and that I have not turned 90 yet.”

He said his college mates, director-cinematographer Amal Neerad and director Ashique Abu, both winners of state awards and vocal supporters of the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist), got the invite.

The celebrities are much in demand for campaigning for political parties as the state elections are two months away and the Congress party is considering a couple of them as candidates.

“Simply put it, if you are a Congressman and if you get an award, then you become unwelcome in their circles. I can understand that,” the 51-year-old said.

“This is a CPI ( M) show, but why don’t you say it openly? I’ll tell you with pride that I’m a Congressman and I’ll remain one until my death.”

As his remarks went viral on social media and many leaders, including the opposition floor leader in the state assembly Ramesh Chennithala, came out in his support, the organisers started firefighting.

“I don’t think there are any issues,” Kamal, a popular director and a vocal supporter of the ruling party who is chairing the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, said.

“You cannot imagine a film festival in Kochi without Salim Kumar. I’ll definitely talk to him (and sort it out).”

Kamal had recently writen to the state government to regularise “Letist” staff at the Academy drawing sharp criticism from the opposition that forced him to apologise.

“The atitude of the government to insult cine artists for being supporters of Congress ideology is a disgrace towards art itself,” Chennithala said.