MACTA supports 'Minnal Murali' team

In the event of a group of miscreants damaging the set of Basil Joseph's film '

Minnal Murali

' in Kalady, the film fraternity has come out together to support them.


Most recently, filmmaker Jayaraj, who is the chairman of MACTA (Malayalam Cine Technicians Association), said in a video message, "MACTA strongly condemns the act of those who damaged the set of Basil Joseph's film 'Minnal Murali.' We urge the people of Kerala to strongly raise the voices against such forces who try to disrupt the secular atmosphere in our State.”

The set, which was erected to shoot the climax scene of the super hero film starring Tovino Thomas and newbie actor Femina, was demolished on Sunday evening. The structure included a church and bell tower, on a sandy stretch of land that is surrounded by Periyar river. The crew had to stop the shoot due to

lockdown

, from March 24 and many from the movie’s crew and outside have been coming out in support of the ‘Minnal Murali’ team post the incident.

Its hero Tovino had posted on social media, “Minnal Murali’s first schedule at Wayanad had been in progress when the set for the second schedule began construction at Kalady. It was carried out by art director Manu Jagad and team, under special instructions by stunt choreographer Vlad Rimburg. For this, we had the rightful permissions from the concerned authorities.And as we were about to start shooting in this set – which was built on a considerable cost, the whole country went into lockdown, following which our shoot was paused, just like all others’.

It is during this prevailing uncertainty that this contractual set was destroyed by a group of racialists yesterday. The reasons they cite for this unceremonious act are not understood to our senses till now. We’ve heard of movie sets being vandalised by religious fanatics in Northern parts of India. Now, it’s happening to us right here. It has caused us a lot of distress, and even more of anxiety. We have decided to go ahead with the legal proceedings.”