Mammootty: Let review and cinema go their own way

A film's success is not based on reviews and hence, the best bet is to allow the two aspects to go their own way, actor Mammootty said on Monday.

Reacting to the present impasse in the film industry over reviewing of Malayalam films, he said, "A film's success is not based on reviews and the best is to allow the reviews and the cinema to go their own way."

The actor was interacting with the media ahead of the release of his upcoming film Kaathal The Core and addressed concerns raised by Mollywood filmmakers regarding 'review bombing'. "Let there be films and reviews. But it is important that people have their own opinion about the film they are watching. I don't think banning reviews will save the film industry," he said, adding that film "review" is different from "roasting".

His statement comes a few weeks after the Kerala High Court directed the state police chief to have a closer look at the vested interests playing truant, especially in social media when new films are released and the Ernakulam Central Police last month registered the first case on this and charged nine persons.

Those charged include social media giants Facebook, YouTube and seven others and the police has begun its probe into this.

The Ernakulam Central Police registered the FIR based on a complaint by film director Ubaini Ebrahim after he found that social media was flooded with negative reviews of his recently released Malayalam film Rahel Makan Kora.

Incidentally, the High Court in October acting on a petition filed by Mubeen Rauf, the director of the film Aromalinte Adyathe Pranayam said that he believed his film got a negative impact due to the alleged foul play by vloggers and sought action.

Kaathal The Core, produced by Mammootty Kampany, is set to hit screens on November 23. The film also stars Jyotika, Lalu Alex, Muthumani, Chinnu Chandni, Sudhi Kozhikode, Anagha Akku and Josi Sijo. Mathews Pulickal serves as the composer and cinematography is by Salu K Thomas. It is scripted by Adarsh Sukumaran and Paulson Skaria.