In a recent development that has stirred the Malayalam cinema industry, renowned filmmakers Vinayan and Aashiq Abu have urged Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to drop B. Unnikrishnan from the government committee responsible for formulating film policy. Their plea is rooted in a significant issue: B. Unnikrishnan, who holds the position of general secretary at the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA), has been penalised by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for engaging in anti-competitive practices.
In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Vijayan on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, Vinayan argued that someone found guilty of such practices should not have a role in the committee that shapes the state’s film policies. Significantly, the Supreme Court had dismissed a plea in September 2020 submitted by trade organizations and individuals found responsible for violating the provisions of the Competition Act, thereby upholding the CCI’s ruling against B. Unnikrishnan and others.
The chain of events dates back to a CCI order on March 24, 2017, which was the outcome of a complaint filed by Vinayan himself. The CCI had imposed a cumulative penalty of ₹11.25 lakh on FEFKA, the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), and their representatives for anti-competitive actions. Vinayan’s complaint stated that FEFKA, AMMA, and other associations had effectively denied him the chance to work by imposing tacit bans that discouraged artistes, technicians, and producers from collaborating with him.
The letter also highlighted that B. Unnikrishnan, as the general secretary of FEFKA, was specifically fined ₹32,026, while Sibi Malayil, the president of FEFKA, was handed a penalty of ₹66,356. Furthermore, AMMA was slapped with a ₹4 lakh fine, and FEFKA had to pay ₹85,594 as part of the punishment.
Filmmaker Aashiq Abu, in his remarks, underscored the irony of the situation, saying it was paradoxical that someone penalised for anti-competitive practices continues to lead a trade union.
. According to him, allowing such an individual to remain on the committee for formulating film policy tarnishes the committee’s integrity and misrepresents the values it stands for.
The issue at hand takes root in a broader historical context involving the suppression of dissenting voices and the monopolistic control wielded by powerful entities within the Malayalam film industry. Vinayan and other independent filmmakers have often found themselves marginalized due to these anti-competitive practices, which stifle creativity and freedom within the industry.
Support for Vinayan has emerged from various quarters of the industry, where many agree that the committee should be devoid of individuals with a record of penalization by statutory bodies like the CCI. They argue that the presence of such individuals could undermine the credibility of the film policy committee and cast doubt on the policies it may draft.
Moreover, the situation raises critical questions about transparency and ethics within industry bodies. It touches upon the necessity of having a clean, transparent, and fair mechanism for industry regulation, which would serve to protect the rights of creators and ensure a level playing field for all stakeholders involved.
Industry veterans have come forward to share their experiences, reiterating similar hardships they faced due to anti-competitive practices adopted by powerful trade unions and associations. These narratives only add weight to the appeal made by Vinayan and Aashiq Abu, amplifying the call for a reassessment of the committee’s composition.
A call to action is what this letter essentially signifies. Vinayan and Aashiq Abu’s request can stimulate necessary changes if taken seriously by the state government. By addressing this issue transparently, the government has an opportunity to reinforce its commitment to fair practices and the promotion of a genuinely inclusive and competitive film industry in Kerala.
For now, the ball is in the court of the Kerala Chief Minister, who is expected to respond to this appeal in the coming days. As industry insiders and fans of Malayalam cinema watch closely, this issue could potentially reshape the governance landscape of the film industry in Kerala.
