Malayalam actor Joju George has come clean about not receiving payment for his role in Lijo Jose Pellissery's 2021 sci-fi mystery thriller Churuli. Joju, who is well-known for his adaptable roles and unvarnished honesty, is in the news once more, but this time it's for a dispute over his compensation and role in the movie rather than his acting.
"I didn't get a single rupee for Churuli"
Joju George recently voiced his displeasure with the post-production handling of the movie in an interview with The New Indian Express. He asserted that he had accepted the project with certain presumptions that were not fulfilled, saying, "I didn't receive a single rupee for acting in Churuli."
The actor also expressed his annoyance at the film's extensive use of profanity, which he claims has become a burden on both a personal and professional level. "I was informed that the version with profanity would only be submitted for consideration for awards. Joju said, "But they went ahead and released that version," claiming he was misinformed about the distribution plans.
Legal Issues Due to Derogatory Words
Joju disclosed that the language in the film even led to legal repercussions for him. "A case was filed against me because of the foul language used in the film," he said, lamenting the lack of courtesy on the part of the filmmakers to notify him before the OTT release. Joju claimed that the lack of communication was upsetting and unprofessional.
Concerning Churuli
Churuli, a surrealist sci-fi horror film directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery, is based on Vinoy Thomas's short story Kaligeminarile Kuttavalikal. The story centres on two undercover police officers who, while pursuing a criminal, enter a mysterious village and find themselves caught up in a surreal, looping reality where it becomes difficult to distinguish between reality and illusion.
The film was praised and criticised for its uncensored dialogue and experimental storyline. Currently available for streaming on SonyLIV, it made its debut at the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) in February 2021. Despite being produced in just 19 days, Churuli's audacious narrative and unconventional presentation made an impression on moviegoers that has lasted.
Regarding his career, Joju George last appeared in Mani Ratnam's Thug Life, which starred Kamal Haasan in the lead role and included Simbu and Trisha in supporting parts. The gangster drama got mostly bad reviews when it was released, despite the high expectations. Joju's performance is still a topic of conversation, though.
Joju's disclosures about Churuli, one of the most renowned actors in Malayalam cinema, have led to a discussion about ethics and transparency in the industry, especially with regard to the treatment of actors behind the camera.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
