KOZHIKODE: You do not want to miss this one. After much spats with the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), Ali Akbar’s 'Achchan' starring Thilakan hits theatres last Friday but, out of the blue, a new dispute also cropped up.
“I was told by the managing director of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC) that my film would be screened for only seven days,” said Ali Akbar, at a press conference, here on Thursday. It is learnt that if there was a single day of ‘holdover’, the film will be thrown out. The film has been allowed screening at a theatre each in Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur and Kozhikode.
The film maker reiterated that KSFDC’s move was pointed at tarnishing the reputation of veteran actor Thilakan, who has already been ostracised by the Malayalam film fraternity.
“Why are these people troubling low-budget film makers like me?” asked Ali. “If they have decided to stop my film after seven days of screening, why haven’t they did the same to 'Kandahar' acted by Mohanlal and Amitabh Bachchan that had pulled up a ‘holdover’ 15 days after release?” asked Ali. The director, who is also a recipient of state film award, lamented that despite his plight, he has hardly received any support from the cultural activists.
Ali and producer of the film 'Lucyamma', Ali Akbar declared that the film was completed at just Rs 10 lakh. Also, they said that Rs 97,341 was paid to reach an agreement with the Chithranjali Studio manager.
“It will be heartbreaking if they decide to stop screening after seven days, even if the film is doing well. If such a situation arises I will stage a protest and will not stop there. I will screen the movie by renting public halls that were once theatres,” said the daring director.
Meanwhile, the movie is a family endeavour. The director-producer duo’s daughter Aleena, a Class XII student of Presentation HSS here has done the music for the film.