THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The officials of the state anti-piracy cell have questioned the Censor Board officials and staffers of Aries Vismaya Max studio in connection with the piracy of mega hit movie Premam.
The producer of the movie Anwar Rasheed, who is also a director, had registered a complaint with police and declared his resignation from all film organisations for their lack of cooperation in battling piracy. The watermarked censor copy of Premam had appeared on free movie downloading sites days after the release of the movie.
Though FEFKA Secretary, director B. Unnikrishnan had claimed on Facebook that he had joined hands against people who downloaded Premam, the probe team visited the Vismaya Max studio in which he is the managing director.
“I have also gone to the DGP with the same complaint by Anwar that mentions the name of my organisation. In case some junior employee of my studio has a role in this piracy I will surely have a moral responsibility in it. However, I don’t think that even Anwar believes I am part of any conspiracy related to this piracy,” he told a news channel.
As per a member of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), only the regional officer of the board has the custody of censor copies of all released movies that are sealed and stored for the next 20 years.
However, technicians in the studio also came under police scanner as the movie had undergone some last -minute editing here.
“Censor Board members just get to watch the movies in a screening hall at Chiranjali studio and suggest editing. We just suggest changes and don’t get the copy in hand. It is very likely that a money-minded technician had stolen the copy during editing stage,” said a member.
Mr Unnikrishnan could not be reached for comment over phone or Facebook. A police team under anti-piracy cell DySP Iqbal expressed the hope that scientific tools can help them understand source of piracy.
Meanwhile, CBFC chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani said that he would personally visit the state and hold an inquiry.
“Such an incident has never happened. I will probe the matter and also address the grievance of directors,” he told reporters.
Cine star Mammootty has also expressed solidarity with the crew of Premam which is set to become the highest -grossing Malayalam movie of all time.
“You don't want us to steal ideas, don't steal our films. Give every film its due. I support Anwar and Team Premam. Good luck to Nivin and Alphonse and everyone from Premam,” he wrote on Facebook.
