FILM NEWS

This Thursday was marked with frenzied drama in Mollywood circles. The story all started with a popular channel flashing news about the new ban on popular star Dileep, initiated by MACTA, The Malayalam Cine Technicians Association. Within some hours, some other channels also followed suit and mobile phones of the association members began to start ringing without breaks, as all media were after them to enquire about the reasons.

It was then finalized by all trade members that the issue, if real, will initiate the skirmishes between the stars and director's associations and soon will restart the fight between AMMA and MACTA, particularly due to the fact that Dileep is one of the most active member of AMMA and is even in charge of their maiden movie production, ‘Twenty Twenty'.

Within some hours in the late evening, Vinayan, the veteran director and the chairman of MACTA has made it clear that MACTA has only taken up a complaint against superstar Dileep, and has not banned his films. The association has forwarded a complaint from director Thulasidas, to the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) which alleges that Dileep has backed out from a film even after taking payment of Rs.4 million, four years back.

AMMA president Innocent confirmed said that the MACTA has written to it about this issue. "We will look into the matter and will reply in another two days' time'' said Innocent. Dileep remained silent on the issue and prefers to wait, till a reply from AMMA is out.

The MACTA, registered under the trade unions comprises 18 different sections of Malayalam film industry workers.