Mammootty is hurt. A popular actor-director hurled an accusation on to him on the eve of Onam.

It is the statement by actor, director, producer Lal that created a tense situation in Malayalam film field. The producers are happy that Lal the producer won for the time being. It is not known whether Lal the actor is uneasy since it is Mammootty the super star and friend is hurt by his accusation.

Anyhow the died-down conflict between the organizations of producers and actors over screening of new films on channels, mainstream movie actors acting in TV serials, has once again renewed with a fresh vigor.

There is an understanding between the producers and the channels not to telecast any film before the completion of two years from the date of its theater release. It is just a gentleman's agreement and not bound by law. Kairali violated it last year by showing Valiyattan. Kairali argues that last year when the other channels showed two new films the producers' organization did not protest and only they raised a hue and cry against Kairali. One film was Vasanthyyum lakshmiyum Pinne Njanum that was also a hit like Valiyettan. This year another channel announced to telecast Narasimham but because of the press meet by Lal that was also got aborted. That's why Kairali also decided to telecast a new film, which they did not do.

Lal, producer and actor of Tenkasippattanam had to call a press meet and complain against Kairali channel in order to prevent telecast of Tenkasippattanam on Thiruvonam day. There was no other way he could fail Kairali from telecasting the movie, which is comparatively a new picture. Though Kairali did not announce the telecast of the said film in advance Lal came to know about it. But he could not move to court on just that information. So a press meet was only way out. As part of his statement against Kairali Lal also mentioned the 'unfavorable' stand taken by Mammootty. Lal quoted Mammootty as asking Lal "to go to court and get the compensation'. It is this statement by Lal that irked Mammootty now. Kairali in its official statement had clarified that Mammootty is not responsible individually in deciding to air the picture. In fact the latest report says that Mammootty as the chairman of Kairali TV channel had to intervene to prevent the telecast of Tenkasippattanam. Mammootty intends to lodge his protest before the organization about the statement of Lal accusing him personally.

Satellite rights of the blockbuster movie was purchased by Kairali from a third party. The agreement between the party and the producer is that the picture will not be shown before December 23, 2002. Channels need not observe any conditions laid by an organization unless it is sanctioned by law. The present controversy has the root in this issue.

Any how the relationships in the Malyalam film industry is once again in strains. Especially between stars when in different capacities their interests clash.