Kerala’s Cultural Affairs Minister, Saji Cherian, recently spoke to the media in Thrissur, highlighting the significant contributions of actor and former Kerala Chalachitra Academy Chairman, Premkumar. Cherian emphatically called Premkumar a ‘crystal-clear leftist’ and commended his dedicated service to the film academy.
The Minister’s remarks came in response to questions about Premkumar’s reaction to the academy’s recent executive committee reconstitution. Premkumar had reportedly learned of the new appointments through social media, sparking some discussion.
Cherian clarified the government’s stance, stating, “The government has a clear responsibility to appoint new office-bearers once a term concludes. That is precisely what occurred in this instance. Beyond issuing the official order, there is nothing out of the ordinary about this process. I had assumed the academy officials would have personally informed Mr. Premkumar. I was abroad at the time.”
He further emphasized that, from the government’s perspective, the entire procedure was purely routine. “Mr. Premkumar dedicated three years as vice-chairman and another one-and-a-half years as chairman. This is a substantial contribution, not a minor one. Had his removal been linked to any past comments regarding the ASHA workers’ protest, such action could have been taken much earlier,” the Minister noted.
Reaffirming the government’s high regard for Premkumar, Cherian described him as “a committed leftist who delivered remarkable service to the academy.” He added, “I personally spoke with him just two days ago, and I detected no sense of resentment.”