Malayalam film associations set up panel for talks

Kochi (Kerala), June 8 (IANS) The Malayalam film industry's leading organisation for technicians Sunday formed a committee to sort out differences with the organisation representing the artists.

A meeting of Malayalam Cine Technicians' Association (MACTA) Sunday formed a committee to clear the stand-off with the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA).

'A meeting today (Sunday) of MACTA has decided to set up a separate committee to discuss and amicably settle this issue. We are meeting again tomorrow (Monday),' said Balu Kiryeethu, a reputed director who has been selected to defuse the crisis.

A standoff between director Thulasidas and actor Dileep has caused the fracas.

Thulasidas has alleged that Dileep, after taking a payment of Rs.4 million four years back for a film, withdrew from the project following a string of flops by the director.

The MCTA has said that the actor should work for the director while the AMMA is reportedly supporting Dileep.

'Dileep has no way out and he has to act in Thulasidas's film, and if he does not do that he will have to step on our bodies and go forward,' said Ambili, a film director and member of MACTA.

In the MACTA meeting Sunday, a resolution was passed demanding that veteran actor, script writer and director Sreenivasan should publicly apologise for his unparliamentary remarks against the organisation and its members on a TV channel Saturday night.

'I will apologise only if I am told what wrong I did. What I said was my observation about MACTA. I am only interested in films and not interested in organisations. The events clearly show that the organisation which should concentrate more on welfare measures is trying to blackmail,' reacted Sreenivasan strongly.

The meeting also concluded that a strong force which has support from the AMMA is trying to split MACTA.

AMMA, on its part, has made it clear that any talks are not warranted if preconditions are set for it.

The film industry in Kerala has, besides the MACTA, professional organisations to protect the interests of producers, stars and exhibitors. Skirmishes between these organisations are common