The Hindu : `MACTA members not taken into confidence'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 29, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

`MACTA members not taken into confidence'

By N.J. Nair

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, FEB. 28. Certain prominent members of the Malayalam Cinema Technicians' Association (MACTA), have come out against the association's decision to restrain its members from participating in a stage show being organised by a private television channel in Kochi on March 7.

They have also described as unilateral the association's decision to support the Kerala Film Chamber that has decided to boycott members of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) and withdraw film clippings from the channel, which is organising the stage show and award night.

The noted director, Satyan Anthikkad, told The Hindu today that the MACTA office-bearers should have taken its 1,000-odd members into confidence before taking such a sensitive decision. The MACTA comprises people working in different departments of the industry, ranging from costumers to directors and technicians. By directing its members to abstain from receiving an award, for which they had been selected through an opinion poll, the association was infringing on their fundamental rights and creative freedom, he said.

The association had been maintaining a policy of equi-distance towards the AMMA and the chamber. After initiating efforts to resolve the crisis, the instant decision to join issue with the chamber was unjustified, he said. Mr. Satyan said that he was not opposed to either the producers or the artistes. Both of them had made significant contributions for the growth and development of the industry, he said.

Mr. Satyan said that he had voiced his concerns to the general secretary, Sibi Malayil, and was optimistic that the dispute would be settled. By involving in such disputes, the fraternal organisations were ignoring the woes of thousands of families that eke a living out of cinema, he said.

The noted director, Shaji Kailas, said that the decision was not taken by the executive committee. He felt that it was aimed at targeting a popular actor. "I could not see any reason in the sudden change after trying to reach an amicable settlement. The decision was not ratified by the executive and it was taken by a host of members who stayed back in Ernakulam after the association's crucial meeting, which decided to settle the dispute between the two artistes and the chamber," he explained.

He denied the chamber's allegation that the artistes had violated the agreement signed with them two years back. "The exhibitors have done precious little to improve the condition of the theatres and provide better facilities to the public. Moreover, there was no need to drag the channel into the controversy. The chamber is still unwilling to address the real issues," he said.

The director and scenarist, Renjith, said that he had taken up the issue with Mr. Sibi and he had agreed to reconsider the decision to restrain its members from receiving the award. Mr. Renjith, who is also the executive committee member of the association, said that the decision was not taken at the executive meeting. "I am very optimistic that the issue would be settled soon," he said.

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