Actor Joju George addressed the media in a press conference on Thursday in Kochi, responding to filmmaker Lijo Jose Pellissery’s recent statement regarding the controversy surrounding Churuli. The dispute stems from the film’s release and its use of explicit language, which Joju says has caused distress to him and his family. He clarified that he chose to act in Churuli out of friendship with Lijo, at a time when he had several other opportunities.
According to Joju, he was under the impression that the film was intended solely for festival screenings. “There was no discussion about releasing it in theatres or on OTT platforms. That’s why I was so relaxed about it,” he said, adding that the version he dubbed for the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) did not contain the profanity that later sparked public criticism. The actor claimed that the version with expletives was sold to an OTT platform after the team received a better financial deal. “IFFK didn’t screen the version with profanity. Later, when they got more money, they sold the version with the cuss words to OTT. That was the most difficult time of my life,” he said. Joju added that the backlash, including online trolls, has impacted his personal life, particularly his children. “My daughter told me I shouldn’t have acted in that film. That was her honest opinion,” he said.
Joju also disputed Lijo’s claim regarding his remuneration, stating that he never agreed to act in Churuli for Rs 5 lakh as alleged. “If I agreed to act in that film for 5 lakhs, let them produce the agreement. But that’s not the case,” he said. He pointed out that Churuli came after films like Joseph and Porinju Mariyam Jose, noting that his market rate at the time would have been much higher. The actor stressed that his decision to speak out was not motivated by money but by the distress the situation has caused his family. He reiterated that he only raised the issue of payment after the film made profits from its OTT release. “I have nothing against Lijo, and I don’t want to start a war of words with him. I’m saying this for my own peace of mind,” Joju said, adding that his concerns were about the impact on his family rather than financial compensation.
Churuli, directed by Lijo, premiered at IFFK and is currently streaming on SonyLIV. The film has been both praised and criticised for its unconventional narrative and language.
