MACTA Federation president Baiju Kottarakara has said that by keeping filmmaker Vinayan away from the Kalabhavan memorial meeting held at Chalakudy, the leading lights of Malayalam film industry used the death of a member of the film fraternity to settle personal scores and to continue ostracising the film director.
Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Mr. Kottarakara said Vinayan, who cast the departed actor in 13 films, was the one who made Kalabhavan Mani the respected artist he became. Mr. Vinayan was most eligible to remember Mani but instead the front rows of the meeting were taken by the likes of Major Ravi who have not cast Mani even in a single film. “Many of our actors have spoken out about growing intolerance and fascism in the country in the recent times whereas the fact that is that our industry has the biggest intolerant fascists,” Mr. Kottarakkara lashed out.
Inside info
Ajmal Sreekantapuram, a production controller who also attended the press meet, claimed that he has inside information of the response of a reigning superstar when told about the plan to invite Vinayan to the function.
The superstar threatened that he would not attend the function if Vinayan was invited.
A popular singer-turned-music composer was also with him when he made this commen, Mr. Sreekantapuram said.