AMMA to hike assistance for destitute artists

Kochi, Jun 29 (UNI) The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) today decided to hike the financial assistance to destitute artistes to Rs 2,500 per month from the present Rs 2,000, association president Innocent said today.

Addressing a press conference here after a general body meeting of AMMA, Mr Innocent said the meeting also decided to extend the assistance to seven more artists, taking the total number to 54.

The meeting also decided not to take any action against veteran actor Thilakan for certain remarks made by him against the association and some other actors. ''He is a senior actor and one of us so the meeting decided not to take any action against him,'' he said.

Mr Innocent said that popular actor Dileep agreed to return the signing amount given to him by director Thulasidas, whose film he had refused to act in. The Dileep-Thulasidas controversy had led to a split recently in the Malayalam Cine Technicians Associations (MACTA) Federation.

'2020', the film being produced by AMMA to raise funds for its welfare activities, would be completed by July this year, Mr Innocent said.

UNI ARC DK1903