Noted Tamil filmmaker Charuhasan said that Kerala’s literacy and pragmatism kept film personalities away from becoming chief ministers. Otherwise, Prem Nazir would have become CM of the state, he added.

“When I entered films, Tamil Nadu had 3000 cinema theatres, the highest in India. 30% of total theatres in country were in Tamil Nadu. When we sent to see movies, Malayalees focused on education,’ said the screen icon. He added that Kamal Haasan might have become atheist under his impact.