Talks on Malayalam cinema crisis inconclusive

A meeting of various film organisations in Kerala called by culture minister MA Baby in Kottayam to resolve the strike by producers and distributors, failed to arrive at a final settlement today.

After the one-and-half hour meeting called at urgent notice, Baby said the government would convene a formal meeting of all organisations in the industry here on May 12 for further talks.

The government also decided to form a three-member panel chaired by state Chalachitra Academy chairman KR Mohanan to hear complaints of the organisations of producers, exhibitors and distributors.

These forums could apprise the panel of their demands within one week, the minister said.

Production activity has come to a standstill in Malayalam cinema since April 16 with the strike by producers and distributors raising various demands.

Industry representatives who attended today's meeting said the talks were very constructive and a step forward in solving the crisis.

Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) General Secretary B Unnikrishnan described the talks as comprehensive and said all problems being faced by filmdom were discussed.

Director Ranjith said the discussion was "useful and positive" and everyone shared the view that all attempts should be made to see that the industry survived.

At the meeting, exhibitors demanded lifting the ban imposed by Distributors Association on Tamins company for releasing Vijay-starrer Sura in the state defying the ongoing strike.

Meanwhile, representatives of AITUC-affiliated Malayalam Cine Technicians Association (MACTA) Federation alleged they were not invited for the meeting.

AITUC leader Kanam Rajendran said Baby was playing `petty politics' to serve the interests of a chosen few in the industry.