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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).
Indian Express
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Listin Stephen reacts amid speculation that his controversial remarks targeted Nivin Pauly; Sandra Thomas urges him not to act on behalf of black money lobby
The spark that film producer Listin Stephen ignited by making a veiled attack on a prominent Malayalam actor without naming him has snowballed into a major controversy, with producer Sandra Thomas also chiming in and speculations rising that he was referring to renowned actor Nivin Pauly. At a recent event, Listin had claimed that a prominent actor had committed a major wrongdoing and warned that if the said actor proceeded ahead with the same mistake, it would cause big problems. 'It's been 10-15 years since I entered Malayalam cinema. I've done quite a few films. A leading actor in Malayalam cinema has committed a serious mistake. It's like lighting a massive firecracker. That was unnecessary. When I say this, the actor will know I'm referring to him. What he did was a serious mistake, and I'm reminding him of that. It should not continue. If it does, it will cause major issues,' he said. Story continues below this ad His comments quickly went viral, prompting many netizens to speculate about whom Listin Stephen was referring to. Meanwhile, a section of social media arrived at the conclusion that the star was Nivin Pauly and that disputes related to the shooting of the under-production film Baby Girl, bankrolled by Listin and starring Nivin, prompted the producer to make such comments. The situation, meanwhile, escalated further when Sandra Thomas took to social media, alleging that the public statement by Listin, who is also an office bearer of the Kerala Film Producers' Association (KFPA), was inappropriate and violated the organisation's rules. 'The black money lobby outside the state is more interested in keeping all aspects of Malayalam cinema under the control of Listin than he is. The threatening speech made by Listin at a movie promotion event the other day is also seen as part of the conspiracy,' she noted on Facebook. Questioning the association's silence over the matter, she told Manorama Online, 'Only after it appeared that everything was in Listin's hands did he start speaking in a threatening tone.' 'If outside investors stop funding Malayalam cinema, the industry will be completely taken over by loan sharks from other states,' she said, adding that Listin was acting as an agent for them. 'This might bring him short-term profit, but it will ultimately destroy the ecosystem he is part of. He could end up being a victim of the same predatory model he's enabling.' As the controversy grew bigger, Listin Stephen himself offered clarification that he never mentioned Nivin Pauly's name. He also took potshots at Sandra Thomas, claiming that her remarks stemmed from jealousy and disappointment. 'If I mention the actor's name, the fans will attack,' Listin told Manorama News. He also stated that he would approach the organisations concerned if the issue wasn't resolved quickly. Dubbing Sandra's comments as baseless, Listing reportedly noted that he had chosen to remain silent previously out of respect for her 'as she is a woman'. At the same time, he also responded to reports that excise officials had seized cannabis from the room of a member of Baby Girl's stunt choreography team. Maintaining that he produces three or four films simultaneously, he questioned how he could possibly monitor everything each person brings to each of these sets. 'An issue happened on the set of Baby Girl. Is it with my knowledge that cannabis was seized from there? Is my job ganja cultivation? If it was from my possession that it was seized, asking me about it makes sense. I produce three or four films at a time. How can I know who is bringing what and where? The best we can do is suspend those who are caught.' 'If a lead actor doesn't give a date to a movie, what will happen to the dates of the co-stars who work in the project? There is a thing called ego. I don't know how to put a price on it. Now, let everyone badmouth me. One day, the truth will come to light. However, even then, they will continue to whitewash him,' he added.
New Indian Express
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Listin should correct himself, says actor-producer Sandra Thomas
KOCHI: Following producer Listin Stephen's remarks about an actor at a recent film promotion event, fellow producer Sandra Thomas has alleged that Listin is acting in the interests of moneylenders in Tamil Nadu. 'As president of the distributors' association and treasurer of the producers' association, Listin is responsible for doing good things for the Malayalam film industry,' Sandra wrote on Facebook on Sunday. 'However, the black money lobby outside Kerala appears more interested in keeping all sectors of Malayalam cinema under Listin's control. His recent threatening speech is also seen as part of the conspiracy,' she added. The response follows Listin's statement that a popular actor in Malayalam cinema has committed a mistake. He said it was unnecessary and should not be repeated as the consequences would be huge. On the influence of moneylenders, Sandra said due to moneylenders' influence and interests, independent directors are not able to directly sell the satellite rights of a film. 'A situation has been created that an independent filmmaker cannot survive in the industry. Listin should try to correct himself and stand up for the growth of the Malayalam film industry,' she said.
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sandra Thomas slams Listin Stephen: 'Don't let a usurer's secret plan trap Malayalam cinema'
Producer Sandra Thomas has publicly condemned , accusing him of aligning with external financial interests and attempting to monopolize control over the industry. What's the issue? Sandra Thomas' fiery statement comes in response to Listin Stephen's controversial remarks made during the promotional event of 'Prince and Family', the 150th film of actor Dileep. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Without naming names, Listin had hinted at a leading Malayalam actor, alleging that he had 'lit the fuse to a huge mistake' which could escalate into a bigger crisis. 'It's like lighting a massive firecracker. That was unnecessary,' Listin said, adding, 'What he did was a serious mistake, and I'm reminding him of that. This should not continue. It will cause major issues if it does.' Sandra Thomas' Facebook post Sandra Thomas, in a detailed Facebook post, strongly rebuked Listin Stephen's comments and broader intentions, writing, 'Please, a humble request – Listin Stephen should not support the usurer's secret plan to trap in his fist. We earnestly urge that Listin Stephen should not commit the grave mistake of handing over the Malayalam film industry to a Tamil Nadu-based moneylender's misguided financial interests.' 'Speech is part of a secretive plot' She emphasized Listin's current influential roles as the President of the Distributors' Association and Treasurer of the Producers' Association , stating that he is entrusted with the responsibility to uplift the Malayalam film industry — not manipulate it. 'Even his recent intimidating speech during a film's promotional event is seen as part of this secretive plot,' she alleged. Slams Producers' Association Sandra also criticized the Producers' Association's recent move to release only theatre-based box office data, claiming it's a ploy to discourage investments. 'The Producers' Association's recent move to release box office figures showing only the revenue from theatres… is part of a calculated strategy to scare off genuine investors,' she said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Calling for introspection and reform, Sandra urged the industry to stand up against monopolistic control. 'Listin Stephen should make an effort to introspect and stand up for the well-being of the Malayalam film industry and our state,' she appealed.
