Cinema row, Mammotty strikes conciliatory note ~ Beauty Care

Cinema row, Mammotty strikes conciliatory note

Breaking his silence over the controversy sparked by Malayalam cine actor Thilakan,superstar Mammootty today said mainstream artistes were eager to settle the issue through a dialogue within the framework of the actors' body, Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA).

"We don't have any quarrel or animus against Thilakan. We have not imposed any ban or ever said we will not co-operate with him," Mammootty told a press meet here.

Striking a conciliatory note towards Thilakan, who triggered the feud by fulminating against "superstar domination" in Malayalam filmdom, Mammootty said AMMA's position was that all
issues should be settled through dialogue.

"AMMA is an organisation of artistes. Whatever issues are there, they should be resolved through a dialogue," the national award winning actor said.

Mammootty, who declined to take questions from reporters, said AMMA would no longer indulge in any public debate on the issue through the media.

The long smouldering frictions in Malayalam cinema flared up two months back with Thilakan alleging he had been dropped from a film after being offered a role in it, under pressure from a 'superstar'.

He went on to allege that Malayalam filmdom was now dominated by a 'mafia' controlled by superstars, an apparent reference to Mammootty and Mohanlal.

Mammootty took a dig at literateur Sukumar Azheekode who had joined the issue supporting Thilakan.

"Azheekode is a great writer... I have respect for him. But he should have understood all the facts before taking sides," the actor said.

On Azheekode's comment about Mohanlal and Mammootty doing romantic roles regardless of their age, he said this was a matter of performance and acting by artistes.

Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan had done the role of a grandson and Kamal Hasaan, the role of a woman in a movie, he said.

There were veteran Kathakali artistes who continued to essay charming and romantic roles even when they were quite old.

"We will no longer be indulging in a public debate on these issues through media. We want Thilakan also to remain part of AMMA and help resolve all issues", Mammootty added.