Film organisations have turned into 'mafia gangs': Thilakan

Angry over last-minute exclusion from the Mohanlal-Suresh Gopi starrer "Christian Brothers", for which he had been booked, Thilakan said film's producer Subair had told him that he was being replaced by another actor at FEFKA's behest.

"Nobody has the right to destroy my acting career. I have struggled a lot in my decades-long career to become what I am now. If any organisation tries to ban an actor, the outfit will be destroyed, not the actor," Thilakan told PTI here.
Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) had apparently moved against Thilakan for acting in a new film directed by Vinayan, who had quit the technicians' association.

Thilakan, who had been given advance by the producer of the film being directed by Joshi, was not included at the last minute with FEFKA office-bearers calling up the producer and telling him that it was the "prestige issue of a superstar".

When contacted, Subair confirmed Thilakan's claim. "I had given him advance and booked him for the film. He had to be dropped after FEFKA interfered. I had to go on with my film," Subair said.

Though Subair said there was no compulsion from the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) for "avoiding" Thilakan, the actor alleged that some executive members of AMMA were also part of the "conspiracy".

Thilakan, who had locked horns with AMMA last year also when they "tried to isolate" him, said the audience would stand by him in his fight against "nasty elements" in the industry.

The actor said he respected the organisation, but added that denying work to an artiste should not be its aim.

He also threatened to stage a sit-in at the location of "Christian Brothers". "I am going to the film's sets. I will tell the director to pack up If I am not allowed to act."
Thilakan claimed that other actors like Captain Raju, Mala Aravindan and Indrans were facing similar undeclared bans after they acted in Vinayan-directed film "Yakshiyum Nhanum".

"Even trade unions have a framework within which they function, but these film outfits are puppets in the hands of a selected few who consider themselves as mighty," he said.

However, the organisations did not dare to act against lyricist Kaithaprom Damodaran Namboodiri and singers K S Chithra and Vijay Yesudas who worked for the film, he said.

"Doing my job (acting) is not merely a constitutional right for me, it is my birthright. I am sure all those who love good cinema will support me in this fight," Thilakan said.
FEFKA office bearers refused to comment on Thilakan's charges while AMMA's were not available.