Kerala Minister withdraws statement claiming actress demanded money to teach dance for youth fest

Thiruvananthapuram: Minister V Sivankutty has withdrawn his controversial statement that a renowned actress had demanded Rs 5 lakh to train for the dance performance of the state school arts festival’s welcome song. The Minister clarified that he was withdrawing his statement made earlier and urged not to turn it into a controversy. He was speaking after the launch of the logo for the state school arts festival in Thiruvananthapuram.

"There are several reasons why the festival's funding is limited. When I asked a person who became famous through the arts festival to train for a seven-minute dance performance, my personal secretary Rajeev was asked for Rs 5 lakh. I did not respond to this. I do not want any controversy. I am withdrawing the statement I made in Venjarammoodu," Sivankutty said.

Celebrities are often brought to the arts festival stage to attract more public attention and encourage the talents of the festival. In the Kollam arts festival, celebrities such as Mammootty and Asha Sharath participated. At the Kozhikode arts festival, K S Chithra was present. Last day, actors like Sudheer Karamana and Suraj Venjaramoodu participated in the valedictory function of the drama festival at Venjaramoodu. An artist told that Suraj will come for drama festival no matter where he is. That is his passion for theatre. It would be great if every celebrity would follow it, Sivankutty added.