The state youth festival will take place in January next year. (File)
Thiruvananthapuram:
Kerala Chief Minister V Sivankutty, who criticized a popular Malayalam film actress for demanding Rs five lakh as compensation for choreographing the welcome dance and song for the upcoming state school youth festival, withdrew his comments on Monday.
Without mentioning the actress by name, the Minister of General Education and Labor said during a program on Sunday that she had demanded a large sum for teaching children a ten-minute performance.
As the comments received wide media attention on Monday and TV channels aired his voice clip, V Sivankutty withdrew his statement and stated that he “did not want to create any unwanted controversy”.
“It has come to my attention that some statements I made yesterday during a cultural program received widespread media attention. The comments were not intended to offend or hurt anyone. That is why I withdraw those statements,” he said during a press conference on Monday.
The minister explained that celebrities are generally invited to youth festivals to raise awareness of the event and encourage young talents. He added that given the importance of the annual event, celebrities attend without expecting compensation.
V Sivankutty cited the examples of several well-known artists, including actors Mammootty, Asha Sharath, Dulquer Salmaan, Fahadh Faasil and Nikhila Vimal, and singer KS Chithra, who had attended state youth festivals on several occasions.
On Sunday, the minister, while speaking at an awards ceremony, had termed the actress's demand for a hefty compensation as 'greed' and 'arrogance'.
He said, “She demanded Rs five lakh… what arrogance! The main problem is that their greed does not diminish despite reaching such a position.” V Sivankutty further stated that the department decided to exclude the actress in question and instead opted for dedicated performers. “I am not naming the actress… If I do, it will be big news in the media,” he added.
The minister also recalled the gesture of noted actor Fahadh Faasil when he was invited for the Onam celebrations last year. He said the actor, who traveled by flight, attended the event without any compensation and arrived on time.
The state youth festival, in which thousands of children will participate, will take place in January next year.
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