Renowned Malayalam film producer Suresh Kumar has strongly criticized leading stars for demanding exorbitant fees that do not reflect in box office returns.
According to Indian Express, speaking at a recent press conference, Suresh Kumar openly challenged actors to name a single Malayalam film that has earned over Rs 100 crore in share revenue. "For us, what matters is share, not worldwide gross," he stated, emphasizing that producers and distributors suffer financial losses despite inflated box office claims.
His remarks come amid an industry-wide crisis, with the Kerala Film Producers’ Association (KFPA) revealing that Malayalam cinema suffered losses between Rs 650-700 crore in 2024. Despite an increase in production costs, reaching Rs 1,000 crore, the industry struggles to sustain itself. In response, multiple film bodies have announced an indefinite strike starting June 1, 2025, citing high entertainment taxes and unsustainable actor remunerations as major concerns.
Suresh Kumar highlighted that many producers are on the verge of bankruptcy, with some even considering leaving the country due to financial strain. He insisted that future productions will not proceed unless actors agree to reduce their fees. Additionally, the KFPA has decided to launch Vellithira, a YouTube channel providing public updates on actual box office figures. He also said that during the calendar year, almost 176 Malayalam movies tanked at the box office and also mentioned that several technicians are striving to make a living.
If disputes persist, Suresh Kumar warned that the association would reveal detailed remuneration figures of all actors, particularly those demanding disproportionately high pay.
Meanwhile, the film bodies have decided to halt all the film shoots and even screenings of movies starting from June 1 this year. Reportedly, Asif Ali’s ‘Rekhachithram’ is the only profitable movie that happened in January this year.
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