Joju George on 'Churuli' controversy: My daughter faced bullying because of those scenes

Joju George on 'Churuli' controversy: My daughter faced bullying because of those scenes

Actor Joju George has opened up about a serious controversy involving the film Churuli, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Lijo Jose Pellissery. Joju, who played a key role in the film, has alleged a breach of trust by the makers after the uncut version of the movie - with explicit language - was released on an OTT platform. According to Joju, this version was never meant for public viewing.

In a candid interview with On Manorama, Joju stated, “The filmmakers had assured me that the version containing profane language would only be screened at select film festivals. For public release, a censored version was to be used, and I even dubbed a separate audio track for it.”

However, Joju claims the version that is now streaming online is the uncut, profanity-laden one. “They told me one thing and did another,” he said, expressing clear disappointment. According to him, the release of the uncensored version was not only professionally misleading but also caused distress in his personal life.

“My daughter faced bullying because of those scenes,” Joju revealed. “That was the main reason I chose to speak up.”

The controversy escalated when director Lijo Jose Pellissery made a Facebook post referring to Joju’s role in Churuli as merely a "guest appearance" and claimed the actor was paid Rs 5.9 lakh for it.

Joju strongly refuted this claim. “Lijo has only shown a receipt. Let him show the entire agreement,” he challenged, indicating that the actual documentation would reveal the full scope of his involvement. According to Joju, not only did he not receive any remuneration, but he also spent significantly more time on set than what a typical guest appearance would require.

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Despite the tension, Joju emphasized that he still respects Lijo’s work. “I was well aware of the language used in the film—that wasn’t the problem. The real issue is that I was misled, and it deeply disturbed my family,” he clarified. He explained that he wouldn't have taken the issue public if the film’s release hadn’t had personal repercussions.

This controversy has sparked discussions in the Malayalam film industry about transparency between filmmakers and actors, especially when it comes to versions of films released on streaming platforms versus theatrical or festival circuits.

Meanwhile, Joju George continues to stay active in the film industry and was recently seen in the Suriya-starrer action film Retro, directed by Karthik Subbaraj. His performance in Retro has been well received, signaling that despite the controversy, his professional journey remains on track.