“Today onwards, I am an Independent filmmaker,” says Jallikattu director Lijo Jose Pellissery reacting to shooting restrictions : Bollywood News

On Friday, Malayalam filmmaker Lijo Jose Pellissery penned a strongly worded statement on filmmaking and his decision to turn an independent filmmaker. He said that cinema is not a money making machinery for him and he will not stop making films even during these trying times.

“Today onwards, I am an Independent filmmaker,” says Jallikattu director Lijo Jose Pellissery reacting to shooting restrictions

“For me, cinema is not a money-making machinery but a medium to express my vision. So from today onwards, I am an independent filmmaker. I will use all the money I raise from cinema to fuel better cinema and nothing else. I will screen my cinema anywhere I feel is right because I am the creator of it (sic),” wrote Pellissery.For me, cinema is not a money-making machinery but a medium to express my vision. So from today onwards, I am an independent filmmaker. I will use all the money I raise from cinema to fuel better cinema and nothing else. I will screen my cinema anywhere I feel is right because I am the creator of it,” wrote Pellissery.

“We are in the middle of a pandemic-a war-jobless people-identity crisis-poverty and religious unrest. People are walking 1000 miles just to reach home. Artists are dying out of depression. So, these are times to create great art just to inspire people to feel alive. Just to give them hope in some form to stay alive. Don’t ask us to stop working. Don’t ask us to stop creating. Don’t question our integrity. Don’t question our self-respect. You will terribly loose because we are artists," he added.

This statement by the Jallikattu director comes a day after Kerala Film Chamber and Film Exhibitors’ United Organisation of Kerala (FEUOK) extended its support to Malayalam producers’ warning against starting the production of new movies. While the Kerala Government has given permission to TV and film makers to start shooting following strict guidelines,the Kerala Film Producers Association (KFPA) asked all filmmakers not to start the production of new films until films are completed before lockdown hits theaters.

This decision did not go well with Pellissery who decided to start shooting for his upcoming film from July 1. Soon, other film bodies stood in support of KFPA. Following this, Lijo chose to go independent.