L2: Empuraan producer Antony Perumbavoor of Aashirvad Cinemas banner has publicly criticised senior producer and actor G Suresh Kumar’s recent remarks about the Malayalam film industry, calling them “immature” and “misleading.” In an open letter posted on his social media handle, Antony expressed his concerns regarding Suresh Kumar’s statements on industry losses, inflated box office collections, disclosing Empuraan's budget and a proposed producers’ strike from June 1. Many prominent figures from the Malayalam film industry have come out in support of Antony, including Empuraan's director Prithviraj Sukumaran, who shared the letter on social media with a question in jest, "Is everything okay, anna?"
Suresh Kumar, a key figure in the Kerala Film Producers Association (KFPA), had recently claimed that only a handful of films were profitable in Malayalam cinema. He also alleged that actors and technicians were demanding exorbitant remuneration, thereby burdening producers. Additionally, he cast doubt on certain films entering the Rs 100-crore club, suggesting that box office numbers were being manipulated by actors rather than producers. As part of a move towards greater transparency, the KFPA has announced plans to launch Vellithira, a YouTube channel that will report actual box office figures of all Malayalam films released in Kerala.
In response, Antony’s letter questions the legitimacy of Suresh Kumar’s unilateral stance, particularly regarding the proposed strike. “I saw Suresh Kumar enthusiastically announce that producers would be going on strike from the June 1. I assume he must have made such a statement due to pressure from certain other organisations,” Antony wrote. He argued that such a strike would be detrimental to the industry and negatively impact thousands of workers and their families. Antony also pointed out that Suresh Kumar had not clarified whether he was authorised to speak on behalf of the producers’ association. “When I heard his sharp criticism of his peers in the industry, various sectors of cinema, and the younger generation, I felt that he assumed everyone in the organisation would silently support him. It also made me wonder if he had been influenced by vested interests,” he remarked.
Antony also took issue with Suresh Kumar publicly discussing the budget of L2: Empuraan, the much-anticipated sequel to Lucifer (2019) produced by Aashirvad Cinemas, to be Rs 141 crores. He questioned the appropriateness of disclosing financial details of an ongoing project and speculated about Suresh Kumar’s motives. “What was the need to publicly discuss the cost of a film whose post-production work is not even complete? I have never spoken publicly about the budget or revenue of my films, nor about my businesses. In that context, I find it difficult to understand what emotional state or enthusiasm led him to make such statements. Moreover, was he making these remarks to improve the industry or to create negativity? To be honest, I cannot tell.” he said. He further compared Empuraan’s ambitions to the success of KGF, which transformed the Kannada film industry into a pan-Indian player. “No Malayalam film has yet managed such an achievement. It is with this ambition that Aashirvad Cinemas has been striving, and I take pride in this effort,” he said, expressing disappointment that the KFPA had not acknowledged the film’s significance.
Another one of Suresh Kumar’s most controversial claims was that some Malayalam films falsely declared entry into the Rs 100-crore club. He suggested that actors were inflating these numbers for publicity rather than actual earnings benefiting producers. Antony refuted this, stating that total box office revenue is calculated in a standardised manner across Indian film industries, including Bollywood, Tamil, and Telugu cinema. “The concept of films making Rs 50 crore, Rs 100 crore, Rs 200 crore or Rs 500 crore is based on total box office collections, or gross collections, which is the standard practice across all film industries in India,” Antony asserted. He added that it was misleading to portray such figures as bogus and that it was the members of the very organisation Suresh Kumar represents who celebrate these financial milestones.
Antony’s letter also pointed out a lack of consensus within the producers’ association, particularly under its current president, Anto Joseph. “I fail to understand why and how Suresh Kumar has come forward with such allegations against his colleagues and the industry itself. If his views truly reflect those of the organisation, then individuals like Anto Joseph should have also come forward to support him,” he noted. He further criticised Suresh Kumar’s remarks about actors-turned-producers being restricted from releasing films in Kerala, calling such claims unrealistic. “We live in a nation where everyone has the legal right to live according to their preferences and beliefs. If statements are made suggesting that the film industry should function according to his wishes, who will support such an approach?” Antony questioned.
Summing up his stance, Antony stated that while he respected Suresh Kumar’s contributions to the industry, he found his recent approach concerning. He called for more responsible and fact-based discussions within the association. “We do not live in a country where individuals can unilaterally decide to shut down theatres or halt films. Such decisions must be taken collectively and only after thorough discussion,” he stressed.
Recently, Jailer actor Vinayakan strongly responded to Suresh Kumar by saying that he will continue to work in the film industry in any capacity he deems appropriate. “Is cinema your family property? You should tell your wife and children not to make films. I am a film actor. I will produce, direct, distribute, and and screen films if I wish. This is India. Jai Hind,” Vinayakan wrote in a post on social media.