Shane Nigam, Sreenath Bhasi face ‘ban’ from Kerala film bodies, ‘can't cooperate with actors we can't tolerate’

After Film Exhibitors Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) had come out last week against actors who “behave as super editors” and “cause ruckus on the sets”, the film bodies of Malayalam cinema together announced that they will not be cooperating with any movies that have actors Shane Nigam and Srenath Bhasi as part of the cast.

While the film organisations Associations of Malayalam Movie Artists, Kerala Film Producers Association (KFPA) and FEFKA had earlier taken non-cooperative stance against various artistes individually and unofficially, this is probably the first that they have put up a united stand against actors.

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In a press meet on Tuesday, KFPA official and producer M Renjith said that the producers’ association “will not be giving no objection certificates to movies featuring the two actors”. Shane recently caused trouble on the sets of his movie RDX, demanding that the director show him the edited cut as he believed that his role in the movie was shortened and his co-star Antony Varghese was given more prominence.

Sreenath Bhasi last year had got into trouble after shouting profanity at two interviewers during his film Chattambi’s promotions. Complaints were also made against the actor for not turning up for the shoots of his movies such as #Home on time and making other artistes wait.

"We even have doubts if they are doing all of this in a conscious state of mind. Several producers and technicians have told us that they are scared to be around them. So, we have reached a conclusion that we have to bring about restrictions to control this,” said Renjith.

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The producer, however, made it clear that the movies for which the producers’ body had given NOC earlier, will get the support of the organisations. “After that, for some time, we don't want these actors. We aren't banning them but we have told the producers that if they go ahead and make movies with these actors, we will not entertain any complaints,” he said. “If there are people who can tolerate them and go ahead, they can. As far as we are concerned, we can't cooperate with people we can't tolerate.”

When asked for reasons for “not being able to tolerate” the actors, Renjith said, “They come late to the sets; they don't respect the film's director, producer or senior actors. Secondly, we can't cooperate with people who use drugs.”

The producer further added that “we have nothing against them, but if they do something in an altered state of mind, our associations will be blamed”. “Why should we function like that? So, all the organisations have decided we will not be cooperating with them,” he said.