CinemaSnippets: Producer M Renjith apologises for his controversial Kasaragod drugs remark

The producer expressed regret for hurting the feelings of Kasaragodians; Mohanlal-Suchitra celebrate their wedding anniversary in Japan.

ByArjun Ramachandran

Published Apr 29, 2023 | 2:13 PMUpdatedAug 10, 2023 | 4:50 PM

Producer M Renjith kasaragod drugs

Malayalam producer M Renjith on Friday, 28 April, apologised for his Kasaragod drugs remark. He recently alleged that more films were being shot in Kasaragod due to the easy availability of drugs in the town.

However, his statement drew sharp criticism from filmmakers like Senna Hegde, Ratheesh Balakrishnan, Sudeesh Gopinath and Rajesh Madhav who shot their movies in Kasaragod.

Following this, Renjith — who is also the president of the Kerala Film Producers’ Association — expressed regret over his Kasaragod drugs remark.

In a Facebook post, the producer clarified that his statement was not intended to target the people of Kasaragod.

“During one of our meetings, an allegation was raised that the ease of smuggling drugs from other states may be a reason for choosing Kasaragod as a film shooting location. This was on my mind when I inadvertently made that comment,” his post read.

Renjith also apologised for hurting the feelings of his friends, acquaintances, and Kasaragodians.

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It may be noted that in an interview with a YouTube channel, Renjith alleged that several movies were being shot in Kasaragod these days due to the easy availability of drugs from the nearby Mangalore city.

The usage of drugs in film sets made headlines after actors Shane Nigam and Sreenath Bhasi were banned by Kerala film bodies after receiving several complaints from the producers.

The producers made public statements that the young actors were consuming drugs and not cooperating with the crew in finishing the shoots, thereby causing them huge losses.

Mohanlal-Suchitra celebrate 35th wedding anniv

Malayalam superstar Mohanlal and his wife Suchitra celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary in Japan on Friday 28 April.

The duo got married in 1988 at a temple in Thiruvananthapuram. Their wedding video is one of the most viewed videos on YouTube.

The actor took to Facebook to share a picture of their celebrations. In the pic, Mohanlal is seen sharing the cake with his wife. The caption read: “From Tokyo with love: Celebrating 35 years of love & soul mateship”.

Related: First-look poster of Mohanlal’s Malaikottai Vaaliban released

The post-production work of Mohanlal’s directorial debut Barroz is underway. The movie, touted to be a fantasy flick, has high expectations.

Mohanlal’s other ambitious project, Malaikottai Vaaliban directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery is making news as the actor is playing a wrestle in this period drama.

Mohanlal finished the first shooting schedule of the movie in Rajasthan recently. The first-look poster was unveiled a few days ago.