Kochi: Actors Jayasurya and Madhu and several others in the film world had come to the aid of Vinayan, who was sidelined by the Malayalam film organisations. This becomes clear from the order of the Competition Commission of India imposing fines on the powerful bodies. The CCI mentioned the statements of Jayasurya and Madhu on many occasions and pointed out Madhu's statement as 'vital.' Jayasurya submitted that AMMA and the Film Employees Federation of Kerala had imposed an informal ban on any artist working with Vinayan. "He also affirmed having received a call in 2013 from Unnikrishnan (general secretary of FEFKA) and Sibi Malayil (president of FEFKA) advising him to avoid working with Vinayan till the issues are resolved," the order said.
The CCI also relied on the transcript of the interview given by the late Thilakan to point out that the former was banned by AMMA and FEFKA. Producers C.V. Sudheer, P.A. Haris and Kannan Perumudiyoor also gave statements before the commission stating that they had given advance amounts but were forced to withdraw the same following pressure. Liberty Basheer, an exhibitor, also stated that the general secretary of FEFKA had called him and asked him not to screen Vinayan's films. "It is apparent how these associations affect the free and fair competition in the market and create hurdles for those who do not mend their ways to work as per the whims and fancies of these associations. Their might is also reflected by the fact that even renowned actors and players in the industry are not able to ignore or disregard their demands," the order said.
