AMMA to hike assistance for destitute artistes

Kochi, Jun 29 (UNI) The Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (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 the press here after a general body meeting of AMMA, Mr Innocent said the meeting also decided to extend the assistance to seven more artistes, taking the total 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 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 popular actor Dileep agreed to return the signing amount given to him by Director Thulasidas, whose film he refused to act.

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, he added.

UNI ARC GM RL UCS1936