Actor Prem Kumar 'not so happy' in new role as interim chairman of Chalachitra Academy

Thiruvananthapuram: Taking over charge as the Chalachitra Academy interim chairman on Thursday, actor and Academy vice chairman Prem Kumar said he is not “so happy” sitting in that chair as Ranjith who had to resign from the post is a “dear friend”. He also hoped that the director who is facing sexual harassment cases will prove his innocence and come back.
He was speaking at a press conference here.

Prem Kumar, who became the Academy vice-chairman in 2022, further said that following the unexpected resignation of Ranjith from the Academy chairman post, the government has only assigned him a temporary task.

Premkumar clarified that there are many projects before the Academy. “When we talk about the Academy, it is not just about organising film festivals or giving awards. The general public does not know much about it. The events to be held in the coming days will require great effort. 

“I am not so happy sitting in this chair. Resigned chairman Ranjith is a dear friend. Spoke to him and learned that legal action is being taken. He said that he will prove his innocence. I hope it happens,” he said. 

“I will fulfill the task entrusted to me by the government with the utmost accuracy, sincerity and transparency. Chalachitra Academy is a democratically functioning institution and will function while maintaining its democratic character. It's a time when news about the film industry keeps coming. Everyone is very worried about it. Because movie lovers are going through a difficult time. The government is intervening strongly in everything,” Prem Kumar said.

He also announced that the 2022 Television Lifetime Achievement Awards will be announced this month between September 5 and 12. The announcement of the 2023 J C Daniel Award will also take place this month. The 2022 TV Awards were announced, but were not distributed due to technical issues. It will also be distributed soon,” he added.

One of the main recommendations of the Hema Committee Report was to set up a tribunal to address the issues of women in the film industry, he said, adding that the government was working on this. 

“Often only actresses are talked about. But the matter of those in other fields of cinema also needs to be addressed. But they are few in number. A training programme for a selected few capable women has already started. The second phase of this is currently underway. Such steps were taken in the wake of the Hema Committee report,” he explained.

“With more women entering the field, it will become a women-friendly workplace. That is what the government intends,” he opined and added, “To some extent this is also the solution to the problems faced by women.”