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Time of India
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Ganja seized from 2 directors, friend
Kochi: Excise sleuths seized 1.6g of hybrid ganja from two popular Malayalam movie directors and another individual when they were about to abuse it at a flat in Kochi in the early hours of Sunday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Directors (Thallumala and Alappuzha Gymkhana fame) and (Bheemante Vazhi) as well as their friend Shalif Mohammed were arrested under the NDPS Act but were given bail as the quantity of the seized ganja was minuscule. A bong (a type of hooka), crushing machine and an OCB paper (smoking paper) too were seized. Excise has information about the person who gave the ganja to the trio and efforts are on to track him, a source said. The three were nabbed from an apartment along Abraham Madamakkal Road in the city. The excise has information that the flat belongs to popular cinematographer-director Sameer Thahir. "We will carry out an investigation to see if he was aware of the place being used to abuse drugs. If he was aware, then his statement will also be recorded since providing space to abuse substances can also be brought under the purview of the probe," said an excise officer. A team led by special squad inspector Pramod KP made the seizure around 2am based on confidential information. "When we entered the room, three individuals, including the two directors, were home. They had gathered to abuse the drugs and their arrest was recorded following procedures. Since the seizure was of a minor quantity, they were let off on bail after a medical examination," said Pramod. "They were at the apartment for discussions about a film. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now We had gone to the apartment with the security guard so as to not arouse any suspicion. Had they known that it was sleuths at the door, they could have destroyed the drugs. They opened the door on seeing the security guard and we were able to catch them with the contraband," said an officer. Excise officials said not only film industry individuals but drug abusers from all sectors were under scrutiny. They said hybrid ganja was getting increasingly popular and efforts were on to keep it in check by finding the source and preventing its import. Fefka union suspends duo In the wake of the arrest, Film Employees Federation of Kerala (Fefka) Directors' Union suspended both filmmakers from the body. In a statement issued in Kochi, union president Renji Panickar and general secretary GS Vijayan said further steps would be initiated after examining the progress of the ongoing investigation. Opposition leader VD Satheesan, meanwhile, wanted organisations like Fefka and AMMA to take a decision not to cooperate with anyone in the film industry who consumes or distributes drugs. The arrest of Rahman and Hamza has happened days after actor Shine Tom Chacko was held in a drug case after escaping from a hotel during a police raid.
Time of India
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Celluloid gets hooked
While Malayalam cinema wins global acclaim, a darker script plays out behind the scenes—how rampant drug abuse even amongst big stars, denial and drug cartels are pulling the strings in Mollywood 'Narcotics is a dirty business.' Mohanlal's iconic line in multiple blockbuster movies now carries a bitter irony as the acclaimed Malayalam film industry finds itself in the grip of a growing drug crisis that threatens to undermine its artistic achievements. Behind the camera flashes and critical acclaim, a troubling narrative unfolds on film sets once celebrated as creative sanctuaries. These spaces have reportedly become fertile ground for substance abuse, with powerful narcotics networks infiltrating the industry's core. Despite high-profile arrests and investigations, the industry appears reluctant to confront this reality head-on. In October 2024, the Kerala high court instructed a special investigation team to investigate widespread alcohol and drug use on Malayalam film sets, following alarming findings in the Justice Hema Committee report. Yet the problem persists, with new cases continually emerging from production locations. The arrest patterns tell a concerning story. Actors Shane Nigam and Sreenath Bhasi were temporarily banned from the industry in 2023 following serious drug use allegations from producers. Last year, Bhasi faced police questioning regarding a cocaine seizure linked to gangster Om Prakash, while in early 2025, an arrested peddler claimed to have supplied hybrid cannabis to both Bhasi and actor Shine Tom Chacko. Chacko's subsequent arrest for alleged narcotics possession, coupled with award-winning actress Vincy Aloshious's complaint about his drug-influenced misbehaviour on set, highlights the industry's ineffective response. When Chacko appeared before the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (Fefka), he received an 'opportunity' to correct his behaviour rather than facing substantial disciplinary action—despite Fefka having formed a vigilance committee against drug abuse just a month earlier. 'The majority of people in the industry, including artists and technicians, are drug users,' claims eminent producer Sandra Thomas. 'The organizations are trying to underplay the real issue by focusing only on two or three persons.' Thomas notes a troubling shift over the past six to seven years: 'While alcohol and marijuana were previously common, today synthetic drugs have become widespread.' She describes a disturbing scenario where assistants of prominent figures allegedly carry drugs for their employers, with groups gathering in on-set caravans to use substances together during production. A concerning parallel ecosystem has emerged. Exclusive circles have formed within the industry, with members producing films solely with others in their group. Those outside these circles—whether producers, technicians, or artists—struggle to navigate film set dynamics. 'Despite numerous producers voicing concerns about this drug menace in industry meetings, organizations have yet to implement effective countermeasures,' says Sandra. Several promising Malayalam actors who once stood at their career peaks have experienced dramatic downfalls due to drug involvement. Two years ago, actor Tiny Tom publicly stated that a major actor's teeth had decayed due to excessive drug use. Industry insiders report that two prominent actors are currently battling severe health issues stemming from substance abuse.\ The pressure cooker environment of stardom, combined with gruelling work schedules and easy drug access within social circles, has normalized substance use. Many senior industry professionals feel compelled to use drugs to fit in with certain groups of youngsters and advance their careers. Female actors like Vincy Aloshious often hesitate to take legal action against drug abuse, fearing career repercussions. Industry organizations similarly resist supporting such moves, wary of potential backlash and reputational damage. Beena Paul, a prominent editor and member of the Women in Cinema Collective, describes the challenge: 'The issue of drugs in the industry is far from simple, as it involves a complex nexus of money and underworld mafias.' She points out that effective solutions require political willpower and strong coordination between law enforcement and film organizations. The Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) established on sets under the POSH Act theoretically offer a mechanism for addressing issues, but their effectiveness is questionable. 'On most film sets, ICC members are typically individuals from the existing crew, with no external members included,' Sandra explains. 'This makes it unsafe for complainants, as there's a real risk of leaks.' She adds that junior technicians or artists serving on these committees often lack familiarity with the POSH Act and the authority to take meaningful action. Such structural weaknesses became evident when Vincy expressed distress after the name of the actor she filed a complaint against was leaked. According to excise authorities, the industry has seen a shift toward more dangerous substances. The most commonly used drugs now include hybrid cannabis, MDMA, methamphetamine, and cocaine—a concerning evolution from traditional substances to more potent chemicals. Saji Nanthyat of the Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce acknowledges the scale of the problem: 'People on movie sets are using synthetic drugs with no distinction between male and female users. The easy availability is a major factor.' While Kochi city police have announced plans to deploy undercover officers at film shooting locations, enforcement faces practical limitations. 'The excise force has limitations in deploying officials on movie sets and conducting surprise inspections. We can conduct raids only with vital information on the sale or use of drugs,' says a senior excise officer. Beyond the immediate industry impact lies a broader cultural concern. Actors and filmmakers are influential figures whose behaviours, both positive and negative, shape public attitudes. When celebrities succumb to drug abuse, it can inadvertently glamorize substance use or normalize it as a coping mechanism. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kerala film federation issues warning to actor Shine Tom Chacko
Kochi: The Film Employees Federation of Kerala (Fefka) on Tuesday issued a warning to actor Shine Tom Chacko , who was recently arrested in a drugs case and faces allegations of misconduct on a movie set. After Chacko appeared before the Fefka office bearers, association general secretary B Unnikrishnan said that the actor admitted to using drugs, and the warning is the final chance for him. "There have been continuous reports suggesting that the drug mafia is tightening its grip on the Malayalam film industry. As the Malayalam film industry is already struggling to survive, it will be challenging to cooperate with those people who are exhibiting such behaviour. We will take strong action if he repeats such mistakes," said Unnikrishnan. Unnikrishnan said that a frank discussion was held with Chacko in the presence of his family. He requested one more chance. Chacko is a talented actor, and offering a chance to correct mistakes is a humane approach, Unnikrishnan said. However, this should not be perceived as a weakness, he added. "If Chacko keeps his promises, he will continue in Malayalam cinema. This issue is not limited to him. He represents a symptom of a larger problem. Many others are involved, and complaints have been received by both Fefka and the producers' association. Fefka will summon and speak with such individuals to bring about change," Unnikrishnan said. He added that Fefka is conducting a campaign on all movie sets to create awareness against drugs. Fefka stands with the public mission to make Kerala drug-free, said Unnikrishnan.
