Malayalam film forum lashes out at superstar Mohanlal

Kochi (Kerala), June 15 (IANS) Amid factional feuds, the Federation of Malayalam Cine Technicians Association (MACTA) has for the first time lashed out at superstar Mohanlal, asking him to mind his own business and not to meddle in the affairs of the union.

"Who is he to say that we don't have any affiliation? He is the general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) and let him concentrate on issues in AMMA. He may be a superstar in films and it is best that he keeps that to the films," MACTA general secretary Vinayan, a film director, told reporters here Sunday.

Amid factional feuds in MACTA, Mohanlal early this week said that the union does not have affiliation with any national organisation.

The MACTA comprises 19 organisations that represent all those associated with filmmaking, from drivers to directors besides script writers and professionals from every field - barring producers, actors and actresses.

For the past two weeks, Kerala's film industry in general and the MACTA in particular have been in a flux after close to four dozen leading directors resigned from the MACTA, alleging irresponsible manner in which Vinayan was running the affairs of the forum.

Last week representatives of the Indian Film Employees Confederation and the Film Employees Federation of India pledged full support to the faction headed by Vinayan.

This is believed to have irked the AMMA, which fully supports the faction opposed to Vinayan, including veteran directors like Siddique, Sathyan Anthikad, Renjith, Fazil and Sibi Malayil.

The faction led by Vinayan staged a show of strength here at a well-attended rally of his supporters.

Those against Vinayan are expected to announce the formation of a new organization Monday.