Filmworld
CBFC chief Nihalani to oversee Malayalam film leak probe: Priyadarshan
Thiruvananthapuram, July 4
Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani
will arrive here next week to personally oversee the probe after the
alleged leak of the censor copy of blockbuster Malayalam film "Premam",
ace director Priyadarshan said on Saturday.
The development comes after Priyadarshan, who has been accused of the leak, approached Nihalani.
Speaking
to IANS over telephone from Chennai, Priyadarshan said that his name is
being unnecessarily dragged into it by vested interests because sound
mixing of the film was done in his studio.
"I spoke to Nihalani
and he has promised that he himself will be arriving in the capital city
and will oversee the probe. The CBFC will have to do this because the
leaked copies of the last month's released film carries the watermark of
the CBFC," said Priyadarshan, adding the present trend of piracy, if
not checked , will sound the death knell of the film industry.
"Premam",
now being touted as a film which is going to break all collection
records, had hit a rough patch very soon after its release, forcing its
producer Anwar Rasheed quitting his membership from all the Malayalam
film-based organisations.
The film stars Nivin Pauly, billed as
the rising star of the Malayalam film industry, through a string of
hugely-popular films like "Banglore Days", "Oru Vadekan Selfie", "Ivide"
to name a few.
State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala also got
involved, instructing the Kerala Police Anti-Piracy Cell to ensure those
responsible are traced and punished. Following this, police have
already arrested seven people who were found to have circulated the
leaked copy of the new film. Police have also decided to summon more
people associated with the Malayalam film industry for questioning.
Menwhile, ace superstar Mammootty on Saturday batted the beleaguered producer Rasheed and his entire film team.
"Stop
Piracy! You don't want us to steal ideas, don't steal our films! Give
every film it's due ! I support Anwar and Team Premam. Good luck to
Nivin and Alphonse and everyone from Premam", he posted on his Facebook
page.
Rasheed, within the span of a decade, has turned out to be
a most successful director and also a producer with popular hit films
like "Rajamanikam", "Ustad Hotel" (both which he directed) and "
Bangalore Days" and "Premam" as producer.