A storm is swirling within the Mollywood film industry following a recent controversy surrounding a proposed film strike. Earlier this week, producer G. Suresh Kumar called for a strike to begin on June 1, citing excessive double taxation, and high salaries for actors, technicians and directors, which he claims caused excessive losses in the Malayalam film industry in 2024. He further presented statistics that out of the 28 films that were released from the industry in January, only one emerged as a box-office success – Asif Ali-starrer Rekhachitram.
Antony Perumbavoor, who heads the Aashirvad Cinemas production banner, swiftly criticised Kumar’s decision calling it rash, and pointing out the negative repercussions it would have on the livelihoods of families supported by the industry if a strike is enabled.
“There is a need for clarity on matters like who appointed him to say all these on behalf of the organization, what is the sentiment behind it. When I heard that, I felt that his understanding is that if people in the group and those in other fields of cinema are criticized harshly about the new generation, others in the organization will silently support him,” Perumbavoor wrote in his Facebook post.
Actors Tovino Thomas, Unni Mukundan, Prithviraj, and Aju Varghese rallied behind Perumbavoor, opposing the strike. Adding his voice to the growing resistance, Mollywood superstar Mohanlal has joined the bandwagon by resharing Perumbavoor’s post on his Facebook page.
Kumar, however, doubled down on his position, criticising Perumbavoor for being notably absent from the Kerala Film Producers' Association (KFPA) meeting that took place where the exchange of ideas happened. In a statement issued by the association secretary B Rakesh, it was stated: "Taking a public stand on the matter without even participating in the meeting was uncalled for. What the vice president and senior producer Suresh Kumar said reflects the association's decision to increasing production costs. As a responsible collective, we will defend against any move targeting the association or its members.”
