Thiruvananthapuram: Noted filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan on Sunday said that film societies in Kerala have played a major role in making Satyajit Ray popular among Keralites.

He was speaking at the fourth edition of the Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters (MBIFL) at Kanakakkunnu Palace here. 

In conversation with the author I Shanmughadas and journalist Shemin Saidu on 'Malayalathinde Ray', Adoor said that there are several people in Kerala who consider having watched one Satyajit Ray movie as their qualification to watch, review and evaluate films in general.

"Hunger is portrayed with dignity in his (Satyajit Ray) movies. The characters in 'Pather Panchali' are the best example of presenting hardships in a dignified manner. Romantic realism is reflected in his works," he added.

When asked about the versatility of Ray, Shanmughadas opined that the filmmaker, who has also made a documentary on Rabindranath Tagore, is more versatile than Tagore himself.

"Although Malayalees identify with Ray as a filmmaker, Bengal natives see him as a prolific writer too. However, Ray has often been criticized for not representing politics in his movies. But, I think that he believed in the politics of human relationships," he added.

In response to an attendee's question on why casteism is not addressed in his movies, Adoor said, "There are several issues that I have not addressed in my movies. Why don't you acknowledge those themes that I have portrayed in my works, instead of asking about the rest."