MACTA heading for a split

Kochi, Jun 7 (UNI) The Malayalam Cine Technicians Association (MACTA) Federation, an umbrella body representing 19 unions of the Malayalam film industry, appears to be headed for a split with several top directors, cinematographers and others resigning from the body today.

The split in MACTA might be formalised at a general council meeting of the organisation here tomorrow, industry watchers said.

Among those who have reportedly resigned were directors Sathyan Anthikad, Priyadarshan, Srinivasan, Siddique, Joshi, Fazil, singer K S Chithra and cinematographers P Sukumar and M S Kumar.

Actor-director Srinivasan told reporters that the breakaway group will float its own organisation.

The problem in MACTA has been brewing since its meeting here last week when a section of directors opposed a move spearheaded by another group to boycott popular actor Dileep.

Director Vinayan, who is the general secretary of MACTA, and some others have been gunning for Dileep, alleging that he accepted Rs 40 lakh from Director Thulasidas four years ago for a film but was now refusing to do the movie and was also not returning the money.

When the proposal to boycott Dileep was floated at MACTA's meeting last week, Director Siddique, whose upcoming movie stars the actor, opposed the move.

This led to heated exchanges and a walkout by Siddique from the meeting.

Some 19 unions, representing various sections like directors, cinematographers, writers, singers and others are part of MACTA.

Meanwhile, the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), representing actors, has backed Dileep and declared that it would not cooperate with directors who boycott the actor.

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