A lowdown on all the goings-on in the Malayalam film industry.
Actor Suresh Gopi has been hogging the headlines after his recent appointment as chief of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and for campaigning for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during the Aruvikkara by-election. And now, he is in the midst of a big controversy.
When the actor went to the Nair Service Society (NSS) headquarters, where a meeting was going on, NSS general secretary, G Sukumaran Nair, reportedly told him to leave the hall “without making a show.”
Many believe that Suresh Gopi’s visit there on election day had a political purpose. The actor denies this, and his friends from the industry, directors Priyadarsan and Major Ravi and producer Suresh Kumar support him.
The BJP is also supporting their new star campaigner. But other parties are questioning the actor’s motives for going there.
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Drama at Jagathy Sreekumar’s comeback event
Actor Jagathy Sreekumar, who is yet to recover from a fatal car accident in 2012, was the center of a heavy-duty drama.
It was his first public appearance after the accident. As the event was proceeding, the veteran actor’s daughter from his second marriage, Sree Lakshmi, went onto the stage.
P C George, MLA, who had organised the event, tried to prevent her from going to her father. Later, he gave her a seat by his side.
P C George’s son is married to Jagathy’s daughter Parvathy. There have been allegations that the actor’s family has not allowed Sree Lakshmi and her mother to meet him.
Sree Lakshmi is also an actor, who was recently seen in the film Karanavar.
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AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists) to make TV serials
The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) in its latest general body meeting has decided to make TV serials for the benefit of those members who are not doing well.
The final decision will be taken after consultations with other film organisations.
Soon after the announcement was made, the exhibitors’ federation objected to mainstream actors acting in TV serials, as it will affect the collections in theatres.