KOCHI:It seems the controversies that gripped the Malayalam cinema soon after the actor abduction case are still having its repercussions at the box office. The incident, that created a rift among the actors and technicians and sparked a misogyny row in Mollywood, happened last year.
However, the aftertaste still lingers, especially after the recent general body meeting of AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists). The performance of recent Malayalam movies in box office stands testimony to the fact that the controversies are not doing any good for the industry.
“We have noticed that the number of spectators has decreased considerably in the last few months. Incessant rains, football World Cup and the recent controversies- a combination of all these elements resulted in the poor performance of our movies. Not to forget, the poor content too,” said producer-director Unnikrishnan B. Unnikrishnan, who is also the FEFKA secretary, said the controversies had resulted in Malayalam cinema losing its charm. “No big mass movies hit the screens recently.
Now, the filmdom is pinning its hopes on Onam releases to help the Malayalam cinema regain its box-office power,” he added.Meanwhile, Producers Association president G Suresh Kumar said those in the film industry should realise that the controversies will do no good to Malayalam cinema. “A total of 97 movies were released so far in Malayalam cinema. Hardly 10 may have succeeded at the box office. More than the rains, I think it is the recent controversies that created a negative impact on the minds of viewers,” added Sureshkumar.
The trade bodies in Malayalam cinema are of the opinion that the actors and technicians should try to settle the issues between them through healthy discussions rather than make statements against each other through social media.
“ A section of industry folks, including actors, are using social media as a tool to throw mud at each other. For instance, see the planned attack against Mohanlal. If they have any objection against his stance, the actors can say it openly at AMMA general body. Instead of that, dragging issues within the organisation out to the public and mixing politics in each and everything will not do any good to the industry,” he added.
Biggies for Onam
Among the big Onam releases this year are Nivin Pauly’s Kayamkulam Kochunni directed by Rosshan Andrrews. In addition to Nivin, the film features Mohanlal in an extended cameo as Ittikkara Pakki. Mammootty will be coming out with Oru Kuttanadan Blog, directed by scriptwriter Sethu. Anu Sithara, Raai Laxmi and Shamna Kasim play the female leads. Another major release is Biju Menon’s Padayottam directed by newcomer Rafeek Ibrahim. Padayottam features Anu Sithara, Lijo Jose Pellisserry and Dileesh Pothan in supporting roles. Fahadh Faasil is coming out with Varathan from Amal Neerad. Aishwarya Lekshmi is paired opposite Fahadh. Meanwhile, Drama, Mohanlal’s latest collaboration with Ranjith, will be released in September.