Sibi Malayil’s Comment Sparks Emotional Outburst from Director MB Padmakumar
Sibi Malayil, one of Malayalam cinema’s most respected filmmakers, is facing backlash after his recent comments were perceived as dismissive toward fellow director MB Padmakumar’s film Token Number. While the industry is still heated over the Janaki vs State of Kerala title controversy involving the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), this unexpected clash between two directors has added a new layer of tension within the Malayalam film world.
The controversy took shape when Padmakumar alleged that remarks made by Sibi Malayil indirectly led to his film’s distributor withdrawing support. The issue stemmed from Sibi’s public statements where he referred to Token Number as a “small film” and an “award film”, supposedly using it as an example in the ongoing Janaki title debate. While the intention may have been neutral, Padmakumar saw it as a dismissal of his hard work and a label that could damage the film’s reputation among investors and audiences alike.
How One Statement Cost a Film Its Future
According to Padmakumar, Token Number had already gone through a stressful journey with the CBFC. While the regional office had cleared the movie, the Mumbai headquarters demanded a change in the name of one of the lead characters Janaki or Abraham before approving certification. This situation, he noted, mirrored what was happening with Janaki vs State of Kerala. However, the problem escalated when Sibi Malayil cited Padmakumar’s film as an example of how smaller directors handled censorship issues quietly.
What hurt Padmakumar even more was the impact those words had on the distribution of his film. He had struggled for months to bring his project to life, funding it himself and working without major stars or a big budget. A distributor had shown interest, but after Sibi’s remarks became public, that support vanished. The distributor reportedly told Padmakumar that he couldn’t invest in a “small award film”, especially if someone of Sibi’s stature had said so.
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In a heartfelt video shared on his YouTube channel titled “Just kill me, Mr Sibi Malayil,” Padmakumar expressed his deep disappointment. He passionately defended his work and criticized the casual use of labels like “small film” in the industry. He questioned why films without stars or big banners are automatically considered unworthy or insignificant.
Sibi Malayil’s Influence Raises Questions About Industry Prejudice
Padmakumar also revealed that when he faced trouble with CBFC, he had reached out to film associations for help, but none came forward. Left to deal with the situation alone, he eventually got the film certified. But just as it was ready to reach audiences, the fallout from Sibi’s words created yet another barrier.
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For Padmakumar, the battle wasn’t just about certification or industry politics it was personal. He described the emotional and physical toll it took to make Token Number, and how dreams of aspiring artists were tied to its success. His frustration with the system was not just directed at one person, but at an attitude that dismisses indie films as “lesser” just because they lack commercial elements.
Conclusion:
The war of words between MB Padmakumar and Sibi Malayil highlights a deeper divide in the film industry between big-banner productions and independent voices. As the debate continues, this incident serves as a reminder of how powerful words can be, especially when they come from legends in the field.
