Kochi: Actor Tovino Thomas has welcomed the Kerala government’s decision to establish the J.C. Daniel International Film City in Kochi. The announcement was made in the Kerala Budget 2026. The actor described it as a long-standing demand of the film industry.
Tovino thanked the government for considering the needs of cinema workers. He said the decision recognizes the contribution of thousands of people working in the sector.
Film City to Boost Malayalam Cinema
In a Facebook post, Tovino said the new film city would strengthen Kerala’s position in the Indian film industry. He added that the project would create new opportunities for filmmakers and technicians.
“The J.C. Daniel Film City will help place Kerala on the national cinema map. The Anti-Piracy Cell was also a much-needed initiative. Congratulations once again,” he wrote.
Industry Welcomes the Budget
Actor Mohanlal also praised the budget. He welcomed the government’s decision to grant industry status to cinema. According to him, the move will encourage growth and bring fresh energy to the sector. He said the announcement would benefit thousands of film workers and create new opportunities for the industry.
Prithviraj Supports Anti-Piracy Measures
Actor and filmmaker Prithviraj Sukumaran also expressed his support. He said naming the film city after J.C. Daniel, the pioneer of Malayalam cinema, was a proud moment. Prithviraj highlighted the importance of the proposed Anti-Piracy Cell. He said it could help protect the industry from content theft and illegal distribution.
Major Allocations for Cinema and Culture
The Kerala government has allocated ₹100 crore for the J.C. Daniel International Film City in Kochi. The budget also includes plans to grant industry status to cinema and create a permanent venue for the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK).
In addition, the government plans to establish an Anti-Piracy Cell to protect film content.The budget also announced a cultural park in Kozhikode named after M.T. Vasudevan Nair. The project has received an allocation of ₹50 crore. A new music academy in Thrissur will be launched in memory of Johnson Master with a budget of ₹5 crore. The government has also earmarked ₹1 crore for a memorial dedicated to actor Salim Kumar.
Positive Response from the Industry
The budget announcements have received a positive response from the Malayalam film industry. Many artists and filmmakers believe these initiatives will strengthen Kerala’s cultural sector and support the future growth of cinema in the state.