Actor Mohanlal has told Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Sports Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan that he will not take back the Rs.1.63-crore fee for his Lalisom show at the inauguration of the 35{+t}{+h}National Games. The actor had returned the payment to the government following controversies.He made this clear to Mr. Chandy and Mr. Radhakrishnan when they visited him at his residence here on Saturday. The actor had returned the fee by Speed Post to the government hours before the Cabinet decided that it would not take back the money.
The Minister told The Hindu that Mr. Mohanlal had a proposal if the government refused to accept the cheque. The government would discuss it and take a decision after consulting him, he said.
Mr. Mohanlal is reported to have told the Chief Minister that he was pained by the controversies that erupted after the show. The actor received brickbats for the poorly coordinated event. A video of the actor missing his cue altogether even as his backing track played on at the show went viral in the social media.
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It is learnt that Mr. Chandy and Mr. Radhakrishnan told the actor that they were also upset over the unfortunate incidentsthat emerged after the event.
The main objective of their visit was to pacify Mr. Mohanlal, especially after statements made by a few Congress leaders that only Lalisom show invited the wrath of the public at the ongoing Games.