Director and FEFKA general secretary B Unnikrishnan has levelled serious allegations against actor Biju Menon, accusing him of failing to honour contractual promotional commitments, which he claims led to a financial loss for a producer. Speaking about the issue, Unnikrishnan alleged that despite having a contract in place, Biju Menon did not participate in promotional programmes for a film, resulting in a loss of ₹25 lakh to the producer concerned.
“A leading actor in Malayalam cinema did not attend promotions, because of which a producer, who is also a director and a member of our organisation, lost ₹25 lakh from what he was supposed to receive from a television channel. Is that a small amount?” Unnikrishnan said.
He further pointed out that the actor had also skipped promotional activities for the recently released film Valathu Vashathe Kallan, directed by Jeethu Joseph. “The same actor has not gone for the promotions of a film directed by Jeethu Joseph as well. I am talking about Biju Menon. I have no hesitation in naming him,” he added.
Unnikrishnan stressed that participation in promotions is clearly stated in contracts under the Producers’ Association and questioned the lack of seriousness shown in fulfilling those obligations. “Promotion is part of the Producers’ Association contract. What I am saying is that at least ten per cent of the firmness shown while negotiating remuneration should be shown here as well,” he said.
Biju Menon has not yet issued a public response to the allegations.