Drug abuse: Spat in film fraternity shows the Malayalam industry in a negative light

Entertainment

By Arjun Ramachandran

08/05/2023

The ongoing controversy over drug usage in film shooting locations has become a hot topic in the Malayalam industry now.

Entertainment

Actor Shane Nigam, in 2019 was said to have left the sets of Veyil (Sunlight, 2022) reportedly over an issue with director Sarath Menon.

Entertainment

However, the KFPA banned him for his indiscipline and also for causing huge financial losses to the producers of Veyil and Qurbani by not cooperating for the shoots.

Entertainment

Senior producers like Siyad Koker alleged that Shane Nigam was under the influence of drugs and hence was behaving “abnormally” on the sets.

Entertainment

In December last year, during the promotions of Chattambi (A Ruffian, 2022), actor Sreenath Bhasi misbehaved with the female anchor of a popular YouTube channel for which he was arrested.

Entertainment

Several Malayalam producers also alleged that Sreenath Bhasi was arriving late for shoots and that he gave the same dates to multiple films, thereby causing them financial loss.

Entertainment

Adding to this is the conflict revolving around RDX in which Shane Nigam, Antony Varghese, and Neeraj Madhav are playing key roles.

Entertainment

The Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) held a press conference and threatened to disclose the names of actors who were not cooperating with the producers.

Entertainment

Later, at a joint press meet, FEFKA, AMMA, and KFPA representatives said they would not be working with Shane Nigam and Sreenath Bhasi owing to the multiple complaints

Entertainment

Kochi Police Commissioner K Sethuraman on May 7, Sunday said that the police department would soon increase surveillance in film sets to nab users and check drug use.

Entertainment

The Kerala Film Chamber welcomed the police’s decision and extended support in identifying actors who use drugs.

Entertainment