Sandra Thomas Accuses Director B Unnikrishnan For 'Sidelining Her' In The Industry (Image-Facebook/Unnikrishnan B)
A case has been registered against director B Unnikrishnan following a complaint filed by producer and actress Sandra Thomas. According to Sandra’s statement, she decided to take legal action against Unnikrishnan after he allegedly insulting her and sidelining her from the Malayalam film industry.
In the complaint, Sandra mentioned that since she gave a statement in front of the Hema Committee regarding the working conditions of women in the Malayalam film industry, she was ostracised by Unnikrishnan, which allegedly affected her career.
Read Also: Malayalam Actor-Producer Sandra Thomas Expelled From KFPA Over Alleged Misconduct
She claimed that Unnikrishnan played a key role in her exclusion. Sandra also stated that the director made it clear to others that he would not allow her to continue working in films. In addition to B Unnikrishnan, producer Anto Joseph has also been named as a second accused in the case.
The Kerala Police have confirmed the registration of the case and are currently investigating the matter. Unnikrishnan, general secretary of the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA), and Anto were booked under Section 351(2) (criminal intimidation) of BNS.
The issue brings attention to ongoing concerns regarding gender dynamics and the treatment of women in the Malayalam film industry, which has been under scrutiny for some time.
Meanwhile, UnniKrishnan denied the allegations, stating that he never said anywhere that Sandra should be excluded. He also said that Sandra had some misunderstandings. However, Thomas stated that she would proceed with legal action.
It also shed light on the recent resignation of the Marco actor, Unni Mukundan, as the treasurer of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). On his resignation, the actor expressed the difficulty of balancing his professional commitments and his responsibilities at AMMA.
Read Also: ‘Marco’ Star Unni Mukundan Steps Down As AMMA Treasurer
“I have truly enjoyed my time in this position, and it has been both an exciting and rewarding experience. However, in recent months, the increasing demands of my work, particularly with Marco and other production commitments, have significantly impacted my mental health,” he wrote.
Director Unnikrishnan, who is also a screenwriter, distributor, and exhibitor, is known for his 2023 release Christopher, starring Mammootty on lead. Meanwhile, Sandra Thomas, under Sandra Thomas Production, produced Little Hearts, the 2024 release of Shane and Mahima.
