Prithviraj Was Banned By 'Power Group': Director Priyanandanan Opposes Mohanlal, Mammootty's Claims

The Hema Committee Report has blown the lid off what goes behind the scenes in Mollywood. The panel's findings shed light on 17 issues faced by women professionals in the Malayalam film industry, ranging from sexual harassment to pay disparity. It also makes mention of a "power group" that controls everything. However, such claims have been contradicted by stalwarts like Mammootty and Mohanlal.

In an interview, Director Priyanandanan said that the "power group" does exist and recalled how Prithviraj Sukumaran was once banned over his film choices.

'My movie with Prithviraj was cancelled'

Director Priyanandanan recently revealed that a "power group" in the Malayalam film industry played a role in the cancellation of his movie Mandarapoovu in 2004. The film, which starred Prithviraj Sukumaran, was halted after just six days of shooting.

He explained that the issue arose when Prithviraj appeared in a film by director Vinayan, leading to a ban on the actor. This, according to Priyanandanan, was the doing of the alleged "power group", consisting of 10 to 15 male producers, directors, and actors who dominate and exert control over the industry.

“I don’t know if that group is called the 'power group,' but there was definitely a group involved in canceling my movie. One person alone cannot ruin a film,” he said as per onmanorama.com.

What Mammootty and Mohanlal said about 'power group'

When Mammootty and Mohanlal finally broke their silence in the wake of the publication of the Hema Committee Report, Mohanlal, former president of Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), said he was not part of any "power group" but did not deny its existence. However, in a post issued on Facebook, Mammootty denied existence of any such group.

Other actors too have confirmed the presence of a "power group" in the Malayalam film industry, contradicting claims of Mammootty and Mohanlal.