Actors Shane Nigam and Sreenath Bhasi were barred by film bodies in Kerala late last month over their alleged drug use problems.
The police have threatened action against those involved with drugs in connection with the Malayalam film industry. (Creative Commons)
As the spectre of narcotic misuse looms large over the Malayalam film industry, the police in Kochi have said they would monitor all shoots in the city.
This, even as actor Tini Tom alleged that he recently worked with someone who was heavily into drugs and was losing teeth because of it.
The developments come close on the heels of actors Shane Nigam and Sreenath Bhasi being barred by film bodies in Kerala late last month over their alleged drug use problems.
Malayalam actor Shane Nigam. (Supplied)
Kochi City Police Commissioner K Sethu Raman said on Sunday, 7 May, that the police would be present at all film-shooting locations in the port city.
The top officer said that shadow police would be present at all shooting locations and raids would be carried out if information was received about the use or sale of drugs.
“Action will be taken against those violating the law,” he said
Speaking to reporters in Kochi, Raman said the decision was taken in an urgent meeting held recently in the wake of film-industry persons speaking of drug use among actors.
He said that on receiving complaints, appropriate action — including initially trying to dissuade the person concerned from using drugs — would be taken.
“We have data of those involved in such cases in the past. We know who is doing drugs, but we do not have information about the sellers,” he said.
“Of the majority of those using drugs, if we arrest them, we will have to release them on bail. What is required is for such persons to wake up and realise that continued use of drugs would be harmful for them,” he said.
Meanwhile, actor Tini Tom alleged that a colleague he recently worked with was a drug addict and suffered from tooth decay due to substance abuse.
Addressing students during the inauguration of the University of Kerala cultural festival on Friday, Tom said his wife refused to allow their young son to work in a film, adding that the ages between 17 and 18 are the most vulnerable.
“Dangerous times lie ahead. My son recently got a chance to act as the child of a major actor but my wife refused to allow it,” Tom said, adding that she was concerned with the reports of drug use in the industry.
In the video aired by television channels on Saturday, Tom warned the students against drug abuse and mentioned the health condition of a fellow actor, who is allegedly an addict.
“The ages around 17-18 is the most vulnerable period. He is my only child. All you have to do is get addicted to art instead of drugs. I have undergone all such situations… I am saying (this) because I understand the consequences…,” he said.
Tom added that an actor with whom he recently worked is an addict and has got tooth decay due to drug abuse.
“But many say he is acting well… However, it’s like a lightbulb. You use electricity to light up but once the filament is gone, the light goes out,” he added.
Actor Sreenath Bhasi. (Supplied)|
Late last month, the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) and Kerala Film Producers’ Association banned actors Shane Nigam and Sreenath Bhasi after receiving multiple complaints against them from producers.
The producers alleged that the actors were under the influence of drugs.
On 25 April, FEFKA, the Film Producers’ Association, and the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) organised a joint meeting in Kochi.
Producer’s council president M Renjith subsequently told reporters that both Shane and Sreenath had often been found under the influence of drugs on film sets, which created difficulties for producers and the crew.
Shane Nigam, once considered one of the rising stars of Malayalam cinema, approached the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) on 27 April and refuted the charges levelled against him.
The same day, Sreenath Bhasi visited the AMMA office and applied for its membership.
Incidentally, Tini Tom is an executive member of AMMA.
There were news reports recently that he would record his statement with the police on drug abuse in the film industry.
(With PTI inputs)
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