Govt. won’t take back money from Mohanlal: CM

Says the money paidas per a contract

The government will not take back the money paid to actor Mohanlal for the performance of his band Lalisom at the opening ceremony of the 35{+t}{+h}National Games.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told the media after a meeting of the Cabinet here on Wednesday that there was no question of accepting the money returned by Mr. Mohanlal. It was the money paid as per a contract and disbursed to the performers. “The government has no moral right to claim it back.”

The Chief Minister said he regretted that Mr. Mohanlal had been dragged into a controversy over his performance (which forced him to offer to return the money). “There is a limit to dishonouring a man.”

Mr. Chandy said the initial plans of the games organising committee for the opening ceremony were different. Mr. Mohanlal was roped in as those plans would have exceeded the budget. The actor had expressed his concern over shortage of time for the preparations. “But, we compelled him,” he said.

On the criticism that the amount paid for the performances at the opening ceremony was in excess of market rates, the Chief Minister said that the budget for the opening ceremony was one approved in 2011 in the presence of leaders in the Opposition. He dismissed Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson’s criticism about the amount spent on the ceremony, noting that the games was a prestige event for the State. However, Mr. Chandy said that he agreed with all the criticism of Mr. Thomson such as crowding on the stage at the opening ceremony and failure to issue passes to eligible persons. He said the budget for the closing ceremony would not be curtailed as suggested by the Chief Secretary. All contracted programmes would be held as scheduled.

FEFKA backs filmmaker

The Film Employees’ Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) has extended support to filmmaker T.K. Rajeevkumar, who had drawn flak as the artistic director of the ‘poorly coordinated’ inaugural show of the 35th National Games.

Sibi Malayil, senior director, said Mr. Rajeevkumar had furnished the details of the remuneration and other related expenditure to FEFKA.