Kerala film crisis turns into ugly spat between writer, superstar !

The controversy following the removal of thespian Thilakan from Mohanlal-starrer Christian Brothers has unfolded into a no-holds-barred slanging match involving writers and matinee idols in the state. To add fuel to the fire, fans associations too have hit the streets pledging solidarity with their stars and burning the effigies of those opposing them. Earlier, AITUC, the trade union wing of the CPI, had declared its support for Thilakan �as the issue concerned a worker�s job security�. Soon, noted writers and Left sympathisers M Mukundan and Sukumar Azhikode jumped into the fray, saying editing out Thilakan was unfair. Mukundan retreated after one sortie, but Azhikode did not. Backing Thilakan, Azhikode mounted an attack on Mohanlal and Mammooty, who have dominated the Malayalam film industry for 25 years. The writer, however, did not mind offering his services to settle the differences between the industry and Thilakan. Irritated over Azhikode�s interference, Mohanlal squarely told the writer to keep away from the industry matters.