Will not comment on Thilakan: Mammootty

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 21 (IANS) Veteran superstar Mammootty has declined to comment on the controversy triggered by the outburst of thespian Thilakan.

Mammootty, talking to IANS over phone, said: 'I will not say anything. What is there to be said?' He was speaking from the sets of his latest film 'Pokiriraja'.

Actor Thilakan is currently facing the heat from various film bodies, including the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), for his utterances against film organisations in the state.

Discussing his films, including his latest release 'Dhrona', which has not done as expected, the superstar said: 'See, it was an excellent subject, but somehow it has not come out well. Mind you, this is the way films are. You win some, you lose some. When there is a setback you go back to the basics, and that is precisely what I do, and fine-tune myself for the next film.'

Speaking about his next project, Mammootty said it would be the directorial debut of veteran character and comedy artiste Jagdeesh.

'I am told that the name of the film is going to be 'Amar Akbar Antony', but don't mistake it for the yesteryears' Hindi film. It is a love story and I play the role of a technocrat. I heard the story and am yet to see the script,' added Mammootty.

The year 2009, was very good for Mammootty with eight releases and a variety of roles. He also received an honorary doctorate from the Kerala University.

However, 2010 appears to have got off on a wrong note with 'Dhrona' bombing at the box office and the Thilakan controversy adding to troubles. At the moment, the AMMA and the other film bodies are strongly behind Mammootty.

Mammootty is a three-time national award winner and into his third decade in the industry.

Veteran Malayalam actor Thilakan had criticised film organisations for denying him an opportunity to act in the new film 'Christian Brothers'.