Drug abuse scandal: we’ll clean up the Malayalam film industry; Kerala police to go firmly after law breakers
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Kochi: Malayalam film industry has been caught in drug abuse scandal for the past several weeks with serious allegations surfacing against two young actors and their subsequent banning from the industry by the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) and Kerala Film Producers’ Association.
The entire controversy erupted after Malayalam film producer M Renjith alleged that actors Shane Nigam and Sreenath Bhasi came to the sets under the influence of drugs which caused issues for the film crew and the producer.
Following the ban, both the actors have approached Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) for a resolution. But AMMA has not made any decision.
After the news broke out and the videos of the actors going viral, several other actors and producers have come out to the media about the rampant drug abuse on sets by actors and the need to clamp it down.
“It’s true that drug usage is rampant in Malayalam cinema. It’s high time we controlled it because there are plenty of issues associated with it. People who take these drugs don’t sleep at night, so they’re always late for the shoot. We also don’t know when they’re sober. They’ll nod at all our instructions, but they won’t be listening. They keep forgetting the time and dates. At the end of the day, it’s the producer who suffers”, said producer Sandra Thomas.
The producers allege new generation artistes and workers create problems at the sets and in post-production work making unwanted interventions. They get fussy even for minor things, spoiling the atmosphere.
Now, the Kerala Police has decided to firmly go after those who violate the law.
Kochi being the headquarters of Malayalam film industry, Kochi City Police Commissioner K.Sethuraman said: "We know who are those in the industry who are into this and the problem is that we just cannot go and take them into custody. It can be done when they use it or are in possession of it. Generally, they are supplied these by their close aides. If not today, tomorrow we will bring to book those who do this."
Sethuraman said that shadow police would be deployed at all shooting locations after allegations of drug abuse and sale of narcotics substances on sets. He revealed that raids would also be carried out if they received news of use or sale of drugs at any location.
"The present giants in the industry did not reach this level by using drugs. We will clean up the industry and shadow police are on their job and are at shooting locations," added Sethuraman.
Executive committee member of AMMA, actor Baburaj, said that AMMA and the police have the complete list of drug users in the Malayalam film industry. However, AMMA general secretary Edavela Babu, had dismissed Baburaj’s claims about having a list.
“It is an open secret that actors use drugs. We will cooperate with any action taken by the government. AMMA’s bylaw states that members should abstain from drug use at work and also not misbehave in public. While considering new membership applications, there will be screening tests for drug abuse”, he told Malayala Manorama.
The producers in the industry have decided to not work with actors whom they believe are drug abusers and said that they would not raise any objection if the police or excise department wanted to do inspections on set.
Reportedly, the Kerala police have shortlisted 300 people who are actively in the drug trade some of whom are from Mollywood. Police commissioner K Sethuraman stated that action will be taken against those violating the law.
Sethuraman added, "No action will be taken in a way that adversely affects the film industry. Detailed investigations will be launched into the drug abuse prevalent in the industry and its routes. We also have support from members of the film fraternity."
Last month, a few top Malayalam film bodies openly admitted that there is an influx of the use of drugs in the industry and they will approach the state government for a proper probe.
Culture minister Saji Cherian was quick to respond. Expressing deep concern, he said that the Kerala government was taking a serious view of the problem and promised to hold a conclave by inviting all the stake holders in the film industry to discuss the menace.