Tamil film lobby in court for fund raising

Kochi, Nov 10 (IANS) A Malayalam movie lobby Monday accused its break away faction of collecting money in the name of Indian Film Employees Confederation (IFEC) - an apex body of film trade unions in Chennai.

Federation of Malayalam Cine Technicians Association (MACTA) filed a complaint with the Ernakulam chief judicial magistrate saying that the newly floated Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) used the name of IFEC to collect money from its members.

The complaint follows the factional feud in the crisis-ridden Malayalam film industry after a new organization was formed by some its members who broke away from MACTA.

Earlier, FEFKA declared B. Unnikrishnan has been chosen as the first president and veteran director Sibi Malayil as the general secretary of the federation.

'Our new organization comprises professionals from 16 different film bodies. We have formed a joint consultative council which has producers and even technicians (as its members),' Unnikrishnan told reporters after taking over as the first president of FEFKA.

Reacting to the allegations against FEFKA, treasurer Jose Thomas said he was not at all aware of what funds collection drive they have undertaken.

'This is just baseless,' said Thomas.

FEFKA, formed in June after a dissent in MACTA, has been recognised by the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes.

It has big names, including veteran directors like Joshy, I.V. Sasi, Siddique, Lal to name a few, as its members.

MACTA's affairs are controlled by Vinayan, a popular director, and has a major chunk of workers, which include light boys and transporters, as its members.