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Director Jude Anthany Joseph Exits Bollywood Project Over Disrespectful Remarks Towards Mohanlal
MUMBAI, India – [Date of Publication] – Renowned Malayalam filmmaker Jude Anthany Joseph, fresh off the success of his film ‘2018’ and his latest release ‘Thudakkam,’ which marks the acting debut of Vismaya Mohanlal, has revealed the surprising reasons behind his withdrawal from a previously planned Bollywood project starring Ayushmann Khurrana. The director cited deeply disrespectful comments made by the production house regarding veteran actor Mohanlal, leading to his principled decision to step away.
Speaking in a recent interview with Club FM, Jude Anthany Joseph detailed the events that led to his departure. The project, which was set to feature Ayushmann Khurrana, had reached an advanced stage of development. Joseph had conceptualized the basic script and engaged in preliminary discussions with the production house.
A Central Role for an Indian Icon
According to Joseph, the legendary actor Mohanlal was an integral part of the project from its nascent stages, slated to play a significant and “important character” in the narrative. “The basic script was almost complete. We had also discussed the story with the production house. At that time, Lal sir had a role in the story. It was an important role. However, they asked me to complete the screenplay first,” Joseph recounted.
The Turning Point: “Secondary Artists”
As Joseph progressed with the screenplay, he made a crucial request to the production house: confirmation of Mohanlal’s participation before he finalized the script. “At that point, I put forward a demand to them. I told them that I could complete the script, but my condition was that Lal sir should be confirmed for the project,” he explained.
The response from the production house, however, proved to be the project’s undoing. Joseph revealed their dismissive reply: “They responded by saying, ‘First, we need to like the script. Only then will we think about the secondary artists.'”
A Principled Stand
This categorization of Mohanlal, a revered figure in Indian cinema with a career spanning decades and an extensive list of accolades, as a “secondary artist” deeply offended Joseph. He immediately recognized it as an unacceptable slight to one of the nation’s finest actors.
“I did not like the fact that they referred to Lal sir, who is one of the finest actors in India, as a secondary artist. So I decided to walk away from the project,” Joseph stated unequivocally.
The filmmaker detailed the process of his withdrawal, which involved formal communication. “The entire conversation happened through email. They would send me an email, and I would respond to it. Eventually, I brought my lawyer into the matter and withdrew from the project. In the end, I also got them to sign a non-disclosure agreement,” he concluded, highlighting the professional and decisive manner in which he handled the situation.
‘Thudakkam’ Gathers Momentum
Meanwhile, Joseph’s latest directorial venture, ‘Thudakkam,’ is performing well at the box office. The film, which features a cameo by Mohanlal alongside his daughter’s debut, has shown promising growth. According to Sacnilk, ‘Thudakkam’ garnered Rs 3.50 crore net in India on its second day, marking a significant 37.3% increase from its opening day collection of Rs 2.55 crore net. The film has crossed the Rs 6 crore net mark in India, with its gross collection reaching Rs 7.02 crore, indicating a positive audience reception.
Jude Anthany Joseph’s decision underscores a strong stance against perceived disrespect towards seasoned artists, particularly a talent of Mohanlal’s caliber, within the competitive landscape of Indian cinema.
About Jude Anthany Joseph: Jude Anthany Joseph is a critically acclaimed Malayalam film director known for his impactful storytelling. His recent film ‘2018’ was a major success, and his latest, ‘Thudakkam,’ is currently running in theaters.
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