Kerala minister to continue acting

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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Film actor-turned-politician and Kerala Forest Minister KB Ganesh Kumar said Sunday that being in office will not be a hindrance to his acting career.

"One can term a person as an ex-minister or an ex-legislator, but not as an ex-actor. For a professional in the field of acting, the career goes on. I will also act while being a minister, if I get roles," Kumar told reporters while announcing the state film awards.

Kumar, 44, has been given the additional portfolio of cinema.

He was briefly transport minister in 2001. Later he handed over the portfolio to his father R. Balakrishna Pillai, a veteran politician who heads the Kerala Congress (Pillai).

Pillai did not contest the assembly polls this time as he is currently serving a one-year jail term in a corruption case.

Kumar said that this is probably the first time in the country that a film actor has been appointed to look after the film industry in a state.

"I will take the lead to discuss with all sections of the film industry and find practical solutions to their problems," said Kumar.

He also said he wanted to ensure that no more film theatres face closure in the state.

"There were over 3,000 theatres in the state. It is now hardly 600. We will see if some of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation theatres could be converted to multiplexes," the minister said.

Kumar also said a welfare scheme will be set up with cultural personalities as members to help senior professionals.

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