Kerala is witnessing an idiotic kind boycott syndrome. Last week all expected a general boycott on major film actors who take up roles in TV serials by the producers. It turned out to be a cry wolf. Then the Dileep- Dinesh Panikkar episode broke out and they demanded a boycott on Dileep. The decision is delayed and talks for a settlement is on. But it seems the producers wanted a face saving act and they found their prey in a director.

Biju Varkey whose film Phantom Paily is running to fairly packed theaters in Kerala had suddenly under cloud. The producers' organization has proclaimed a ban on the director, which means he will be out of work for two years. The charge; Biju Varkey had manhandled Dr Sudhakaran Nair, the producer of Phantom Paily. Production executive Antony Iringalakuda and production manager Roshan are also subjected to ban. Roshan is banned from work for 'life time'!

Al right one has the right to employ people of their choice. Producers naturally will not engage directors and production executives who they think are inefficient. They do it in the normal course of their business. In organized sectors there are sound labor laws to protect the rights of employees. In film industry contracts prevail and it protects their rights of artists and technicians.

It seems the producers do not believe in the conventional methods of resolving complaints and criminal offences. Is it that they lost faith in police and courts? Was there an offence at all? If yes did they make a complaint to the police? Who are the witnesses? Who decided that the accused are guilty of a crime? Are they taking law in to their hands?

The Malayalam film industry is facing an unprecedented crisis. What the industry is doing is washing their lines in public and banning each other.
They should realize that the viewers also can boycott them and which is what they are doing right now. Turning away from theaters for want of good quality films. In all its probability the boycott of people will continue if films are made in this way while the industry people can remain as stunt masters as they do it now.