Kerala Film Chamber restricts film artistes from TV shows
Just two days after the Film Distributors' Association of Kerala (FDAK) had decided not to allow any non-Malayalam movie to release in the state simultaneously with the all India release from April 16 to support protectionism, the Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce, an apex body of producers, distributors and exhibitors in Mollywood, on Thursday imposed a ban on all film artistes, singers and technicians to appear on TV shows from May 1.
Elaborating on the decisions taken at the meeting, Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce vice-president Ismail said this move is part of the efforts being taken to save the film industry from a crisis.
Adding that a similar decision had been taken in 2002 but was violated blatantly with several leading artistes participating in TV shows as judges and guests, Ismail said the artistes should have cooperated with the Chamber by not attending TV programmes, especially at a time when the majority of new releases failed to click at the box office.
"This time, we will see that the order is obeyed. From May 1, all artistes, singers and technicians should not appear on TV programmes or other stage programmes. If they do so, their films will not be screened," he said.
Meanwhile, veteran singer M.G. Sreekumar dismissed the move as "ridiculous". "This year, I have sung just four film songs and all that I have earned is Rs. 25,000. If they are so particular that this new rule has to be implemented, then let them ensure that I get to sing songs in every film that is released,” Sreekumar said.
