Antony Varghese’s mother files complaint against 2018 director Jude Anthany Joseph for character assassination

Jude Anthany Joseph had alleged that Antony Varghese had used the advance of Rs 10 lakh for his sister’s wedding

Antony Varghese and Jude Anthany Joseph

Days after 2018 director Jude Anthany Joseph alleged Angamaly Diaries’ actor Antony Varghese had cheated him and his co-producer of Rs 10 lakh, the actor dismissed those claims and further stated that his mother Alphonsa had filed a police complaint against the filmmaker for “character assassination”.

Jude, in an online interview, had said that Antony received Rs 10 lakh to act in Falimy in 2019 and he used the money for his sister’s wedding. However, just 18 days before the shoot of the movie was to commence, Antony backed out and didn’t return the money till the film associations got involved. Further, Jude stated that Antony returned the money because his movie, Aaraavam, was stalled because of his and the producer’s “curse”.

Also read: 2018 director Jude Anthany lashes out against Antony Varghese: ‘Ungrateful’, ‘Doesn’t deserve to be in cinema’

Antony, in a press meet held in Kochi on Thursday, dismissed these allegations. Stating that he initially didn’t want to react but decided to do so after his family members were hurt because of Jude’s statement that Antony used the advance money for his sister’s wedding, the actor explained that his mother has filed an official complaint against the 2018 filmmaker.

The actor also clarified that his sister’s wedding happened a year after he had returned the advance to the producer. Antony, who said that he wasn’t angry at Jude’s comment but disappointed by them, further added that he wanted people to know that truth for the sake of his family as well as his career.

Also read: Falimy: Basil Joseph replaces Antony Varghese in Nithish Sahadev’s family entertainer

“If I didn’t react, other producers of my films would think that I had cheated them,” he said. “Also, my mother, sister and family shouldn’t have to bear the brunt of this. The wedding was arranged by the money that my parents, sister and I have made. They shouldn’t have to explain this to anyone.”

Antony also said that the issue with Jude was already resolved and the director shouldn’t have dug it up again. “He used his success to undermine someone else. What he did was character assassination,” said Antony, adding that he has always been a fan of the filmmaker and considered him an elder brother.

Jude, in the interview, had also said that Antony was “ungrateful” and “didn’t deserve a place in cinema”. The actor responded to this by saying that Jude isn’t the measure of anyone’s talent and the filmmaker too got into the industry because someone had given him the opportunity. Antony concluded the press meet by saying that he had decided to withdraw from Falimy because he didn’t like how the script turned out and when he had called to inform Jude, the director had used profanity.

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