The Hindu : Film producer lambasts K.G. George

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Apr 19, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala-Thiruvananthapuram

Film producer lambasts K.G. George

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM APRIL.18. Adding a new twist to the controversy around the Malayalam film `Elavancode Desam', directed by K. G. George, who was also the chairman of the State Film Awards Jury for the year 2002, several non-resident Keralites have decided to sue him for damages.

Francis Cletus, the managing director of the NTS Group of Companies, Abudhabi, the main financier for the film and Vakkon Shakeeb, director of the Media Club Private Limited, the banner under which it was produced, have accused Mr. George of having cheated them and caused financial loss to the tune of a few crores, during the making of the film over a period of three years.

At a press conference here today, they claimed that several non-resident Keralites in the West Asia had been similary cheated by Mr. George, who had projected the film to be the "greatest work of the century, and at the lowest cost''.

However, the end result was a less than mediocre film that exceeded all limits of cinema production and which caused severe financial loss to all those involved in its production, they alleged.

Mr. Francis alleged that the agreement reached between him and Mr. George over the releasing, satellite and video rights of the film was grossly violated by the director who, without his knowledge or consent, transferred them in the name of another distributor.

It was at the initiative of a Minister of the Kerala Cabinet that the issue was sought to be resolved in an out-of-court settlement. As per this agreement, Mr. George was to arrange for compensation to Mr. Francis.

However, this assurance had not been honoured even a year after it was made. On the other hand, both Mr. George and his distributor friend, now a member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, had been threatening to ruin him, Mr. Francis said.

Mr. George had also been reported to be absconding after it was found that he had sold off his property in Thiruvananthapuram and his whereabouts were not known.

The legal notices sent to him had returned to the sender in the meantime, he informed.

As though adding insult to injury, Mr. George has recently come out with counter-charges against him, Mr. Francis added.

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