Discord among film directors: MACTA to seek amicable solution

Kochi, Jun 8 (UNI) The Malayalam Cine Technicians Association (MACTA) Federation today decided to seek an amicable solution following discord among certain film directors over the alleged 'dictatorship' of its General Secretary Vinayan.

Announcing the decisions of the Executive Committee meeting of the MACTA here, its officer-bearers Baiju Kottakara and Ambili told newspersons that representatives of the Indian Film Employees Confederation and South India Film Employees Confederation would attend a MACTA meeting tomorrow to draw a line of consensus to dissolve the brewing issue.

A seven-member sub-committee under Balu Kiriyath was also formed to study the issue and chalk out ways and means to find an amicable solution, Ambili said.

''If the efforts for a solution failed in tomorrow's meeting, show cause notices would be served on those directors who have made statements against the Federation,'' he added.

Negating reports that as many as 25 film directors have resigned from the Federation, Ambili said only six directors have officially put in their papers.

The fissures in the Federation, an apex body of 19 unions of the Malayalam film industry, widened after it decided on Wednesday not to cooperate with actor Dileep's forthcoming film directed by Siddique, resulting in difference of opinion between Siddique and Vinayan. Vinayan had also criticised Dileep for violating professional ethics by refusing to act in a movie directed by Tulasidas.

Following this, 25 directors, including Priyadarshan, Kamal, Renjith, Sathyan Anthikad, Srinivasan, Fazil and Blessy reportedly resigned from the Federation yesterday to protest against Vinayan's 'derogatory remarks' against Siddique.

The Federation also reiterated its stand that Dileep should act in the movie directed by Tulasidas, Ambili said.

The Federation had come down heavily on the alleged criticisms by actor-director Srinivasan on assistant directors that they were not creative.

''The Federation wants Srinivasan to openly apologise to the assistant directors for the remarks made against them,'' he added.

Ambili also alleged that certain members of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) and producers were trying to sabotage the Federation.

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