Antony Perumbavoor Vs Producer Suresh Kumar On Malayalam Film Production Issues
The Malayalam film industry has been witnessing a heated exchange between veteran producers Antony Perumbavoor and G Suresh Kumar over issues related to film production, remuneration, and box office figures. The controversy began when Suresh Kumar made critical remarks about the current state of Malayalam cinema, prompting a strong rebuttal from Antony Perumbavoor.
Antony Perumbavoor expressed his discontent regarding Suresh Kumar’s statements in a detailed note, questioning the latter’s authority to represent the entire film producers’ association without a consensus. He criticised Kumar’s claim that the industry would go on strike from June 1st, arguing that such a decision would negatively impact hundreds of people whose livelihoods depend on cinema. He suggested that Kumar had been influenced by vested interests and questioned why he mocked the achievements of Malayalam films entering the 100-crore club when such benchmarks are widely accepted across Indian cinema, including in Bollywood, Tamil, and Telugu industries.
Further, Antony expressed disappointment that Suresh Kumar chose to attack Malayalam cinema’s success stories instead of supporting its growth. He pointed out that even the organisation’s leadership, including its president Anto Joseph, had remained silent on Kumar’s statements, suggesting that there might be internal disagreements within the association. Antony argued that any organisational decisions should be reached through discussions and consensus rather than being unilaterally declared.
One of the most contentious points raised by Antony was Suresh Kumar’s assertion that if an actor produces a film, it will not be screened in Kerala. Antony dismissed this claim as baseless and against the fundamental rights of individuals in a democratic country. He also questioned why Kumar publicly discussed the budget of Ashirvad Cinemas’ upcoming big-budget film Empuraan, which is still in the pre-production stage. He emphasised that the film’s team had been working hard for years to make it a pan-Indian success, and such comments from within the industry were counterproductive.
Antony further criticised Kumar for using the revenue figures from January to claim that Malayalam cinema was in decline. He pointed out that last year’s successes were acknowledged even by international media and that Malayalam films continued to be widely appreciated for their content. While acknowledging that ups and downs are natural in the industry, he argued that a more balanced and mature approach was necessary when evaluating the industry’s performance.
In response, G Suresh Kumar defended his stance, asserting that his comments were made after discussions with various industry organisations. He dismissed Antony’s claims by stating that he was not acting on his own and that a collective decision had been made regarding the strike. He also questioned Antony’s engagement with the association, stating that the latter rarely participated in discussions and was therefore unaware of key matters. Kumar also clarified that his remarks about Empuraan were based on information received from responsible sources and that he was open to retracting his statements if necessary. He insisted that he had no personal agenda against anyone, including Mohanlal, and that he was only highlighting concerns that needed to be addressed.
Kumar has been vocal about the financial struggles of Malayalam film producers, claiming that many are on the verge of leaving the industry due to unsustainable production costs. He criticised the skyrocketing remuneration of actors, arguing that it had reached unsustainable levels. He claimed that actors, rather than producers, were the ones making exaggerated claims about box office collections and that the reality of the industry was far more challenging than it appeared.
The debate over actors producing their own films also gained traction when actor Vinayakan joined the fray. He strongly opposed Kumar’s views, questioning whether the film industry was the latter’s personal property. Vinayakan asserted his right as an artist to produce, direct, distribute, and screen films, stating that such decisions should not be dictated by a few industry leaders.
Suresh Kumar, a veteran in the industry with over four decades of experience, has played a significant role in Malayalam cinema. Having produced films under the banner of Revathi Kalamandhir since 1993, he has been a key figure in the Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce.
