Malayalam Actor Manju Warrier Alleges Threat to Life by Filmmaker

In her complaint, Manju says the filmmaker blames her for the failure of her film ‘Odiyan’, also starring Mohanlal.

Manju had called on the Kerala DGP on Monday, 21 October to deliver a handwritten complaint against Shrikumar Menon.

(Photo altered by The Quint)

Malayalam film actor Manju Warrier has sought the support of industry bodies Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) and Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) following a row with ad filmmaker turned director VA Shrikumar Menon.

Manju had called on the Kerala DGP on Monday, 21 October, to deliver a handwritten complaint against Shrikumar Menon, in which she alleges life threat from the filmmaker.

In her complaint, she says that the filmmaker was responsible for a targeted social media attack against her after his film ‘Odiyan’ starring Mohanlal and her did not perform as expected at the box office.

She also mentioned journalist Mathew Samuel, former managing editor at Tehelka magazine and later, editor of the digital news portal Narmada news. According to her complaint, Manju alleges that Shrikumar had taken the help of Mathew, who is his friend, for the targeted attack against her.

She also alleged that the filmmaker had misused signed blank cheques as well as letter heads of the Manju Warrier Foundation to siphon off money from her savings. According to reports, Manju had also submitted digital evidence to substantiate her written complaint.

Confirming that FEFKA had received a letter from Manju intimating members of her complaint against Shrikumar Menon, filmmaker B Unnikrishnan, who is FEFKA’s general secretary, said that the body had contacted the DGP’s office following Manju’s intimation.

“She intimated us about the complaint she's given to the DGP. We don't know the content of her complaint. But we have contacted the DGP and asked that the complaint be acted upon seriously. He has reacted very favourably and said that a Special Investigation Team will be put to it,” B Unnikrishnan told TNM.

Actor Edavela Babu, general secretary of AMMA too confirmed that the organisation will extend support to Manju Warrier professionally.

He also confirmed that had received a mail from Manju Warrier informing AMMA of her police complaint against Shrikumar Menon.

Manju has worked extensively with Shrikumar Menon and his advertising agency Push Integrated Communications. He had directed her in several advertising campaigns for Kalyan Jewellers, and they had worked together in the movie Odiyan too.

According to the complaint, Push Integrated Communications was also overseeing the activities of her foundation. Shrikumar Menon had also roped in Manju to play the lead in his debut feature film ‘Odiyan’, which he directed.

Odiyan opened to a worldwide release on 14 December, 2018. It was Shrikumar Menon’s feature film debut and had enjoyed massive promotions ahead of its release. However, when the movie did not recieve raving reviews, Shrikumar had squarely placed the blame on Manju for the film failing at the box office.

He had said that she did not have a market and she had landed the role due to 'her luck from a previous life'. He also alleged that it was Manju’s former husband Dileep, who is an accused in the 2017 actor abduction case, who had sabotaged the film. The director claimed that Dileep had conspired to sabotage the film and even stated this in several of his interviews.

(The story has been published in an arrangement with The News Minute)