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Indian Express
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Producer Sandra Thomas claims portion of Malayalam film budgets being earmarked for drugs: ‘Even separate rooms are allotted'
The purported rampant inflow of drugs into the Malayalam film industry has been a hot topic for quite some time now. While these were initially just speculations — mostly hearsay — things took a serious turn recently when actor Vincy Aloshious filed a complaint with the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) against her Soothravakyam co-star Shine Tom Chacko, alleging that he harassed her while under the influence of drugs. Although she chose not to pursue legal action against him, the incident brought renewed attention to the growing issue of drug abuse in the industry. In 2023, when allegations of substance abuse among industry insiders spilt into the public realm, producer-actor Sandra Thomas was one of the prominent voices affirming that there was 'rampant drug usage' in Malayalam cinema. Fast forward two years, and according to her, not much has changed. In fact, the situation may have only worsened, with the environment becoming even more conducive to such behaviour. Only in SCREEN | Forget the actor, it's Mohanlal the producer who should make a comeback; the one behind both his National Awards for Best Actor She also recently tore into the associations concerned for their inefficiency in monitoring the issue and for failing to implement measures to curb such harmful practices at their root. 'The associations concerned should have taken a proper stand against drug use in Mollywood at least five or ten years ago. Everyone is aware of what is happening on the sets. But no one took a corrective step, as they need these people in their future projects,' she said during a chat with Onmanorama. Sandra went one step forward and even alleged that the makers were now earmarking money from the film's budget for procuring drugs. 'Now, a special budget is being allotted exclusively for this. Even separate rooms are allotted for this purpose. However, the associations say the entire industry cannot be blamed just because of one or two people. I heard Listin (producer Listin Stephen of Magic Frames) give such a statement a few days ago. So, aren't people like Listin aware of this problem? Don't they know that drugs are lavishly available and are used on the sets? They have refused to take a step against it. It has now reached a stage where both men and women and everyone, irrespective of their status, use it,' she said. Also Read | Shah Rukh Khan left quietly after I told him 'nas kaat lungi', recalls Wamiqa Gabbi: 'There was pin-drop silence on the sets of Baby John' Sandra continued, 'Producers are unwilling to raise a complaint because of fear it will stall their projects. If someone is caught on the sets, the shooting gets stalled. It also ruins the goodwill of the actor. What is the point in doing a movie with him if his goodwill is lost?' Known for bankrolling movies such as Friday (2012), Zachariayude Garbhinikal (2013), Philips and the Monkey Pen (2013), Peruchazhi (2014), Aadu (2015) and Adi Kapyare Kootamani (2015) with actor-producer Vijay Babu under the banner of Friday Film House that the two founded jointly, Sandra Thomas departed from the firm in 2017. She later established Sandra Thomas Productions and made her comeback by bankrolling Nalla Nilavulla Rathri (2023).
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First Post
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- First Post
Malayalam actor Shine Tom Chacko faces new allegation of 'sexual harassment', actress says 'He moved around constantly and...'
At the same time, she alleged that Chacko behaved in 'a very abnormal and erratic manner' on the sets. read more In fresh trouble for actor Shine Tom Chacko, one more female co-star on Thursday accused him of making remarks with 'sexual connotations' and behaving inappropriately around her on the sets of their upcoming Malayalam movie 'Soothravakyam'. The actress, Aparna John, who is in Australia currently, told a TV channel that everything Aloshious said about Chacko's conduct, including him spitting out some white powder, was '100 per cent correct'. 'White powder is all I can say as I cannot state with any authority as to what it was. It could have been glucose,' she said. At the same time, she alleged that Chacko behaved in 'a very abnormal and erratic manner' on the sets. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'He displayed a high energy which we cannot match. He moved around constantly, was restless, said things which had no logical connections and if any woman was around, then his remarks were indecent. 'Like Aloshious said, his remarks had strong sexual connotations and were explicit. It was like verbal diarrhoea,' she alleged. John said that his behaviour made her very uncomfortable as she was also a newcomer to the field and she immediately told a member of the Internal Complaints Committee on the set about the discomfort she felt. 'I immediately got a resolution. The entire crew made the effort to complete my scenes ahead of schedule, so that I could leave,' she said. She further said that if she were pursuing acting as a career like Aloshious, she would do what was possible to ensure the cinema environment was a safe place. 'But, I have limitations as I am here ,' she said. Aloshious had accused Chacko of misbehaving with her and had said that she does not wish to work with those using narcotics on movie sets. She had lodged a complaint with the Film Chamber, accusing Chacko of inappropriate behaviour while under the influence of drugs on a movie set and also informed the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists about his misconduct on the sets of the unreleased film 'Soothravakyam', though no police complaint has been lodged. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Chacko had reportedly apologised to her for his behaviour. Just after Aloshious allegations, Chacko was arrested and then released on bail in a drugs case after he allegedly fled from a hotel here when a District Anti-Narcotic Special Action Force team carried out a raid there. The actor has been booked under section 238 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita , and sections 27 and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, in connection with that incident. The Kerala government, meanwhile, has said that it views the allegations against the actor seriously and its police and Excise departments were effectively intervening in the matter. The Ernakulam Additional Sessions Court had recently acquitted Chacko in a 2015 drug case, citing procedural lapses by the police during the seizure and arrest.
News18
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Shine Tom Chacko Apologizes To Co-Star Vincy Aloshius For Alleged Misconduct, Claims It's His ‘Natural Style'
Vincy Aloshius alleged that Soothravakyam co-star Shine Tom Chacko misbehaved with her on the sets of the film. During an internal committee meeting, he issued an apology to her. Malayalam actress Vincy Aloshius alleged that Shine Tom Chacko misbehaved with her on the sets of their upcoming film 'Soothravakyam.' Now, during a recent internal committee meeting held in Kochi on Monday, Shine Tom Chacko reportedly apologized to Vincy for alleged misconduct. As per a report in Matrubhumi, Chacko described his conduct as his 'natural style', but apologised to Vincy if his behaviour had been perceived as inappropriate and pledged not to repeat it. According to the Matrubhumi report, Shina Tom Chacko apologized to Vicy Aloshius at the internal committee meeting, and assured those present there, that he would behave professionally in the future. He also mentioned that he didn't do anything intentionally. The meeting reportedly took place at the Producers Association hall, and while Vincy attended the session alone, Chacko was accompanied by his family. He said that he hadn't acted with any ill intent, and said that it was just his 'natural style', but apologized because it offended her. Vincy took a stand at the meeting and said that she would accept any decision made by the internal committee. She also expressed dissatisfaction over the fact that Chacko's name was leaked. Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) and Film Chamber await the internal committee report before taking action. Meanwhile, earlier, Vincy had said that she will not take the legal route in the matter. She said that she wants to deal with the matter internally and not outside the film industry. However, she clarified that she won't take back the complaint that was filed with the Kerala Film Chamber and Internal Complaints Committee (ICC). Vincy Aloshious recently addressed the Kerala media and expressed her desire to see change in the Malayalam film industry, which is why she chose to file a complaint in the first place. She emphasised that such incidents must not happen again. Shine Tom Chacko Controversy Malayalam actor Shine Tom Chacko was seen running from his hotel room after a drug raid by Kochi police on April 16. The checks, specifically aimed at Chacko, were conducted by the District Anti-Narcotic Special Action Force (DANSAF) at a hotel in Ernakulam district. The drug raid was executed following an internal complaint filed by Vincy Aloshious with the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), in which she accused Chacko of inappropriate behaviour on the sets of Soothravakyam. She also claimed that she saw Chacko exhale a powdery substance during the rehearsals. Chacko was taken into custody by Kochi police on Saturday and was interrogated for four hours. He was later released on bail. First Published:
Hindustan Times
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
One more actress accuses Shine Tom Chacko of inappropriate behaviour on film set
Kochi, In fresh trouble for actor Shine Tom Chacko, one more female co-star on Thursday accused him of making remarks with "sexual connotations" and behaving inappropriately around her on the sets of their upcoming Malayalam movie 'Soothravakyam'. Earlier, Chacko's co-star Vincy Aloshious had accused him of misbehaving with her on the film sets under the influence of drugs. The actress, Aparna John, who is in Australia currently, told a TV channel that everything Aloshious said about Chacko's conduct, including him spitting out some white powder, was "100 per cent correct". "White powder is all I can say as I cannot state with any authority as to what it was. It could have been glucose," she said. At the same time, she alleged that Chacko behaved in "a very abnormal and erratic manner" on the sets. "He displayed a high energy which we cannot match. He moved around constantly, was restless, said things which had no logical connections and if any woman was around, then his remarks were indecent. "Like Aloshious said, his remarks had strong sexual connotations and were explicit. It was like verbal diarrhoea," she alleged. John said that his behaviour made her very uncomfortable as she was also a newcomer to the field and she immediately told a member of the Internal Complaints Committee on the set about the discomfort she felt. "I immediately got a resolution. The entire crew made the effort to complete my scenes ahead of schedule, so that I could leave," she said. She further said that if she were pursuing acting as a career like Aloshious, she would do what was possible to ensure the cinema environment was a safe place. "But, I have limitations as I am here ," she said. Aloshious had accused Chacko of misbehaving with her and had said that she does not wish to work with those using narcotics on movie sets. She had lodged a complaint with the Film Chamber, accusing Chacko of inappropriate behaviour while under the influence of drugs on a movie set and also informed the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists about his misconduct on the sets of the unreleased film 'Soothravakyam', though no police complaint has been lodged. Chacko had reportedly apologised to her for his behaviour. Just after Aloshious allegations, Chacko was arrested and then released on bail in a drugs case after he allegedly fled from a hotel here when a District Anti-Narcotic Special Action Force team carried out a raid there. The actor has been booked under section 238 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita , and sections 27 and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, in connection with that incident. The Kerala government, meanwhile, has said that it views the allegations against the actor seriously and its police and Excise departments were effectively intervening in the matter. The Ernakulam Additional Sessions Court had recently acquitted Chacko in a 2015 drug case, citing procedural lapses by the police during the seizure and arrest.
News18
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Kerala Film Body Decides To Give One Last Chance To Shine Tom Chacko: 'Must Not Be Seen As A Weakness'
Agency: FEFKA has given actor Shine Tom Chacko one last chance to correct his behavior after Vincy Aloshious accused him of misbehaving under the influence of drugs. The Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) on Tuesday said actor Shine Tom Chacko, accused by actress Vincy Aloshious of misbehaving with her under the influence of drugs, has been given one last chance to correct his behaviour, failing which it would be difficult to continue working with him. FEFKA general secretary B Unnikrishnan, in a press meet held here, said that the one last opportunity was given to the actor on his request as he is young and a good actor and such individuals 'should not be seen as criminals". 'People who get addicted to such behaviours or practices should be given an opportunity to correct themselves as that is the humane thing to do. But this humane approach should not be seen as a weakness," he emphasised. He said FEFKA has a strict stand on such matters and it has told Chacko that it can work with him only if he resolves the issue. 'He has assured us that he would resolve it," Unnikrishnan said. He further said that following Vincy's complaint, FEFKA also spoke to representatives of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) and told them clearly that 'it would be difficult to move forward with film production in the prevailing circumstances" if such practices were adopted by the actors' body. Unnikrishnan claimed that the film production in the Malayalam cinema sector has gone down by 45 per cent in the last six months as reputed corporates or producers are unwilling to invest money in making movies due to the overall environment prevailing in the industry. 'The picture that is coming out before the public is that the Malayalam film industry is in the grips of drug cartels. In such circumstances, it would not be surprising if the industry becomes completely lifeless in the next 2-3 months. That is the manner in which production is going down… The public image about the environment in the industry is not at all encouraging," he added. Chacko was recently arrested and then released on bail in a drugs case after he allegedly fled from a hotel here when a District Anti-Narcotic Special Action Force (DANSAF) team carried out a raid there. The actor has been booked under section 238 (causing disappearance of evidence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and sections 27 (drug consumption) and 29 (abetment and criminal conspiracy) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, in connection with that incident. Just prior to that, Vincy had made the allegations against Chacko. She has filed a complaint with the Film Chamber, accusing Chacko of 'inappropriate behaviour" while under the influence of drugs on a movie set and also informed the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) about his misconduct on the sets of the unreleased film 'Soothravakyam', though no police complaint has been filed. The Kerala government, meanwhile, has said that it views the allegations against the actor seriously and its police and Excise department were effectively intervening in the matter. The Ernakulam Additional Sessions Court had recently acquitted Chacko in a 2015 drug case, citing procedural lapses by the police during the seizure and arrest. First Published:
