Malayalam film industry organisation supports Thilakan

Alappuzha (Kerala), Feb 2 (IANS) The Malayalam Cine Technicians' Association (MACTA), which comprises film professionals from light boys to directors, Tuesday said it would support film actor Thilakan if he launched a protest against his dropping from a new film, "Christian Brothers".

"We will have no qualms to extend our full support to Thilakan," MACTA president Kanam Rajendran told reporters here.

Rajendran is also the general secretary of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), affiliated to the the Communist Party of India (CPI).

Thilakan Sunday lashed out at both Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) and Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) and also a superstar for denying him an opportunity to act in the new film "Christian Brothers".

Speaking to IANS, the veteran actor said that both FEFKA and AMMA and a particular superstar are against him. He did not name the superstar.

"They are trying to take vengeance against me because I acted in a film directed by Vinayan, who was against all these groups. But I am not going to take this lightly. I will take the fight into the enemy camp," said 74-year-old Thilakan, who was honoured with a Padma Shri last year.

Incidentally, FEFKA was formed last year after a major group broke away from MACTA.

Rajendran took over as the president after MACTA got themselves registered as a trade union.

"Today AMMA, which is to look after the welfare of the artistes, is least bothered to protect their interests," Rajendran alleged.