'Back-stabbing in Malayalam film industry worse than in politics'

Thiruvananthapuram, June 12 (IANS) Veteran Malayalam film actor Thilakan, who has won a special mention jury award in the recently announced National Awards, says that back-stabbing in Malayalam film industry is worse than what happens in politics.

The 72-year-old has won the honour for his brilliant performance in "Ekantam".

"I am a living example of this and for long I have been a victim of back stabbing and that has kept me out of quite a few films. The film industry is flush with egoistic individuals and there is a very deep castiest equations prevailing and also a mafia which controls the industry," Thilakan, who spoke to journalists for the first time after winning the honour, told media Thursday.

"Honestly, I don't believe in awards. Surviving in the Malayalam film industry is difficult because of various reasons. I have been targeted by a section in the industry who will go to any extend to back stab me," added Thilakan.

Thilakan began his acting career through the drama and by now he has donned the grease paint for more than half a century. He says that he had much better experience while working in Tamil and Telugu films.

"Believe me, the experience I have had while acting in Tamil and Telugu films is something which I cherish. Unlike Malayalam industry, there people have mutual respect and admiration for each other."

Thilakan feels that he didn't get a role in a film, whihc Dileep is producing for the Association of Malayalam Movies Artiste Association ( AMMA), because of the internal politics.

"May be those who are behind the project feels that Thilakan does not know how to act. The people, who control the industry, dislike me so much that they don't give my son (Shammi) opportunities to act."

He singled out Nedumudi Venu, a leading character artiste, saying he is playing dirty to keep him out.

"I myself have expressed my feelings to him. With regards to Mohanlal, I don't think he is vicious. And Mammootty, even though he has a good heart, at the end of the day whatever he does turns out to be counter productive," said the veteran.

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