The Malayalam film industry has long been plagued by rumours of rampant drug use, but recent revelations are painting an increasingly alarming picture. In the wake of actor Vincy Aloshious’s complaint against her Soothravakyam co-star Shine Tom Chacko for allegedly harassing her while under the influence of drugs, veteran producer and actor Sandra Thomas has come out with some explosive claims about the deep-rooted presence of drugs on film sets.
While Aloshious ultimately decided not to pursue legal action, her decision to file a formal complaint with the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) has reignited urgent conversations about substance abuse within the industry.
The incident, coupled with Sandra Thomas's statements, underscores what many are now calling an open secret in Mollywood.
Sandra, who has been a vocal critic of the growing drug menace in Malayalam cinema since 2023, told Onmanorama that the problem has not only persisted but worsened.
“The associations concerned should have taken a proper stand against drug use in Mollywood at least five or ten years ago,” she said. “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.”
In a shocking revelation, Sandra alleged that drug procurement has become so normalised that film budgets now include separate allocations for it.
“Now, a special budget is being allotted exclusively for this. Even separate rooms are allotted for this purpose,” she claimed.
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Her comments suggest that drug use is no longer limited to a handful of individuals but has become institutionalised. “It has now reached a stage where both men and women and everyone, irrespective of their status, use it,” Sandra stated.
She also criticised industry leaders and producers for turning a blind eye. Referring to a recent comment made by producer Listin Stephen of Magic Frames, Sandra said, “The associations say the entire industry cannot be blamed just because of one or two people. I heard Listin 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.”
According to Sandra, fear of backlash and project delays are key reasons why producers remain silent. “Producers are unwilling to raise a complaint because of fear it will stall their projects,” she explained. “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?”
Sandra Thomas is no stranger to the inner workings of the industry.
She has produced critically acclaimed and commercially successful films such as Friday (2012), Zachariayude Garbhinikal (2013), Philips and the Monkey Pen (2013), Peruchazhi (2014), Aadu (2015), and Adi Kapyare Kootamani (2015), initially in collaboration with actor-producer Vijay Babu under Friday Film House. After parting ways with the company in 2017, she launched her own banner, Sandra Thomas Productions, and returned with the 2023 thriller Nalla Nilavulla Rathri.
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