Days after its release, Malayalam film “Kaduva” has landed in controversy over some inappropriate dialogues against disabled persons, prompting its director Shaji Kailas and lead actor Prithviraj Sukumaran to apologize on Sunday. In a scene from the film, which released on July 7, the protagonist played by Prithviraj was seen making inappropriate remarks against disabled persons and their parents.
The family, an association of parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, had moved the State Commission for Persons with Disabilities, following an overwhelming response on social media over the film Samvad. The State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities has issued notices to filmmaker Kailas and producers Supriya Menon and Listin Stephen, seeking an explanation for the derogatory dialogues.
Meanwhile, Kailas took to Facebook and apologized “sincerely” about the matter.
“I sincerely apologize for the comments hurting parents of disabled children in the film Kaduva directed by me. That dialogue in the film was a mistake. I would request everyone to forgive me as it was a human error. Neither did screenwriter Jinu, who wrote the dialogue, nor did actor Prithviraj, who shot the scene, realized its possible meaning, Kailas wrote in his Facebook post.
Sharing Kailas’ post, Prithviraj also posted an apology on Facebook. The actor wrote, “Sorry. It was a mistake. We accept and accept it.”
Several posts regarding the comment went viral on social media.