Thilakan protests, Malayalam film body demands apology (Lead)

Veteran Malayalam actor Thilakan has launched a protest against film organisations for denying him an opportunity to act in the new film "Christian Brothers". However, the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) Tuesday asked him to apologise for his outbursts in a week's time or face action.

An executive meet of AMMA was hurriedly called late Tuesday in Kochi and it was decided that the thespian be asked to apologise for his outburst. The meet was chaired by its president, veteran actor Innocent.

Thilakan launched a protest against film organisations in Thrissur Saturday and one of the cine bodies has threatened to take action against him for calling them 'mafia' and maligning them.

"The two major organisations in the industry and the superstars are against me because I acted in the latest film directed by Vinayan. Three other actors who acted with me in the film are also finding it tough. I'm 74 and into my sixth decade as an actor, so I have decided I will fight for justice. I am getting unprecedented support not from the industry but from the common man," Thilakan told IANS.

"Do you know as a result of the so-called informal ban on me by these people, right now I have no films at all. The only one which I am committed to do is a Hollywood production and there these people just cannot reach and persuade them to withdraw me," said Thilakan.

Reacting to the decision of AMMA, Thilakan said it could take whatever action they want and maintained that he had not done anything wrong.

"AMMA is not a trade union body. I will think and decide if I have to apologise. I do not think that I have done any wrong," Thilakan told reporters after hearing about AMMA's decision.

The thespian got support from two state ministers - state Cooperation Minister G. Sudhakaran and Agriculture Minister Mullakara Ratnakaran.

Vinayan used to head the Malayalam Cine Technicians Association (MACTA), the outfit of the technicians which comprised of 19 different organisations - right from that of drivers to directors.

But a major group broke away from MACTA and formed a new organisation called the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA).

Vinayan broke his silence and lashed out at FEFKA general secretary B. Unnikrishnan, saying instead of dancing to the tunes of the superstars, he should prove himself by making a good film.

"It's sad that the state Culture Minister M.S. Baby is still silent on the 'unofficial ban' imposed on those actors who acted in my latest film," said Vinayan.

But Unnikrishnan and ace director Sibi Malayil said that if Thilakan doesn't stop making baseless statements against them, they will have to take strict action against the actor.

"Through these baseless allegations by Thilakan, the actor in him has committed suicide. The allegation that FEFKA is a mafia organisation by Thilakan will be taken up at our next meeting. If it is proved that I had banned any actor from working in the the film 'Christian Brothers', I will quit the post of general secretary," said Unnikrishnan.

Veteran producer Suresh Kumar said that an agreement with an artiste is a two-way contract and it can be revoked by either of the parties. He said that the present Thilakan controversy is a needless one, which could well have been avoided by the veteran himself.

Over 30,000 families are dependant on the Malayalam film industry for their livelihood. Last year 70 films were released and the industry has done a business of Rs.2 billion.

Last updated on Feb 9^th, 2010 at 23:09 pm IST--IANS