The arrest of actor Dileep over the abduction and assault of an actress has left the Malayalam film industry shell-shocked, especially directors and producers of his finished and ongoing projects.
As per industry sources, the arrest of Dileep – whose star-value is said to be right behind superstars Mohanlal and Mammootty – would cost the industry a massive loss of Rs 50-60 crore.
Release of Ramaleela, one of his big-budget movies directed by debutant Arun Gopi, has been postponed. Though producer Tomichan Mulakupadam said the movie would be released on July 21, it may not actually hit theatres on the announced date in view of widespread protests against the actor.
The shooting of Kammarasambhavam, helmed by Ratheesh Ambatt, and 3D movie, “Professor Dinkan” is also halfway through. Saddam Sivan and Njarana Mon are the other projects in the pipeline.
Senior director of Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), Vinayan has described the arrest as a “scar on Malayalam cinema”.
Bina Paul, senior editor and leader of Women in Cinema Collective, an outfit of women in Malayalam cinema, said they were “extremely pained” that a person from the industry was involved in the incident. “But we believe that justice has to be served at any cost (to the victim),” she said.
Soon after the arrest, actress Remya Nambeesan, a close friend of the victim, said “I am happy that justice has prevailed.”
(Feature Image Source: PTI)