The Hindu : AMMA delegation calls on Antony

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 17, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

AMMA delegation calls on Antony

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, MARCH 16. In an attempt to settle the crisis gripping the film industry the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) president, Innocent, the secretary, Mohanlal, the treasurer, Jagadish, and other members called on the Chief Minister, A.K. Antony, at his official residence this evening.

The delegation held discussion with Mr. Antony and the Minister for Cultural Affairs, G. Karthikeyan, who was also present there. Mr. Antony assured the delegation early solution to resolve the crisis. He has delegated Mr. Karthikeyan and the Information and Broadcasting Minister, M.M. Hassan, to finalise the dates for holding further discussions. The Government would first hold talks with the Kerala Film Chamber and then with the representatives of AMMA.

He asked the AMMA members to restrain from making any provocative statements that would further aggravate the crisis. Mr. Jagadish later told The Hindu that the association was open for talks and was keen on settling the issue without delay.

Earlier, a delegation headed by Mr. Innocent, Mr. Mohanlal, Mr. Jagadish, Mr. Mammotty and Ganesh Kumar, MLA, called on the BJP State general secretary, P.P. Mukundan, at the BJP State committee office in the morning. The BJP cultural cell State convener, G. Suresh Kumar, also accompanied them.

They apprised Mr. Mukundan of the reasons that led to the crisis in the industry. They told Mr. Mukundan that the chamber was reluctant to register new films, especially, those featuring the members of the association. Now the artistes are not cooperating with the films under production and this is likely to affect the new releases planned for Vishu.

The chamber was now insisting that the artistes should sign an agreement specifying that they will not participate in stage and television shows, they told Mr. Mukundan.

No move to ban stars: The Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce has denied reports that it was planning to impose an `unofficial ban' against some film stars as a reprisal against the stage show held in Kochi last week.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, the chamber president, Siyad Kokker, said the chamber had not taken any action against any film stars so far in this issue. The chamber was only trying to bring some discipline and control over certain tendencies that were hampering the film industry, he said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala