Jude Anthany's latest film '2018', which is based on the devastating Kerala floods, is running in packed houses in Kerala; it collected ₹40 crore globally.
Antony Varghese at a press conference in Kochi. (Supplied)
Malayalam young actor Antony Varghese, popularly known as Pepe, said that director-actor Jude Anthany Joseph is misusing the success of his movie 2018 by raising false allegations against him.
In an interview with a news channel, Jude Anthany Joseph accused Antony of refusing to act in a film despite receiving advance payment from the producer concerned.
Jude also alleged that Antony was still in the industry due to the backing of Lijo Jose Pellissery, director of Angamaly Diaries. Antony Varghese became popular with his debut movie Angamaly Diaries (2017). He came to be known as Pepe, the name of his character in the movie.
In a press meet held in Kochi, on Thursday, 11 May, Antony Varghese said Jude Anthany was misusing the success of his latest directorial venture 2018.
Jude Anthany’s 2018, which is based on the devastating Kerala floods of 2018, is running in packed houses in Kerala and has grossed ₹40 crore globally thus far.
“His allegations will destroy my career. What will the other producers, who signed me up for their films, think about me?” the actor questioned.
Antony Varghese also stated that he was hurt by Jude’s remarks about his acting. “Who is he to measure my acting ability? Everyone joins the film industry after being introduced by someone, I entered because of Lijo Jose Pellissery.”
Antony clarified that he was reacting as Jude Anthany Joseph’s statement affected his family. The actor pointed out that he remained silent for two days because he didn’t want to add fire to the allegations.
Antony Varghese (PePe)’s reply to Jude Anthany Joseph on the recent controversial statement from the director..pic.twitter.com/8vTPtiD339 pic.twitter.com/AYuZwOCKEC
— AB George (@AbGeorge_) May 11, 2023
Admitting that he took advance payment from a producer, the actor revealed that he had the necessary documents to prove Jude Anthany wrong.
According to Antony, he returned the money to the producer on 27 January, 2020. “My sister’s marriage happened on 18 January, 2021, a year after I paid the money back.”
“I had doubts about the second half of the movie and hence, I decided to drop out of the project. Jude abused me verbally when I raised this issue. This is why I dropped out,” Antony Varghese added.
The actor told the media that the issue was resolved after the involvement of Kerala film bodies and also wondered why Jude was bringing it up now.
Antony Varghese pointed out that Jude’s allegations tarnished his family’s image.
“My mother and wife are neither stepping out of the house nor attending any function due to the allegations. The trolls and comments on my wife’s social media page caused more hurt.”
While the actor asserted that he was only trying to clarify the issue since it was affecting his family, his mother filed a case against Jude Anthany Joseph.
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