Lyricist and filmmaker Sreekumaran Thampi stayed away from the Malayalam cinema centenary celebrations in Chennai on Monday alleging foul play by a powerful lobby in the film industry and politics.
Explaining his stand, Mr. Thampi said he had decided not to join the celebrations as he did not wish to be treated as a second class citizen after having been in the industry for almost five decades and having donned the roles of lyricist, director, and producer. There was a conspiracy against him, led by former Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar and his camp followers, and he did not wish to be present at the celebrations suffering such ill treatment, Mr. Thampi added.
