A fresh controversy recently arose over the Malayalam film “Aja: Sundari” after local traders in Kozhikode Vilangad raised allegations of unpaid dues associated with the film’s production activities.According to Asianet News, the complaints allege that payments for goods supplied during the film’s shooting schedule remained unsettled. According to reports, several businesses in the area were damaged. The issues involved multiple local vendors who supplied products and services during filming.
Traders raise allegations against ‘Aja: Sundari film team
The issue came to light after traders in Vilangad complained of non-payment of payments for items purchased during the shooting period.Complaints are said to have come from local vegetable sellers, milk suppliers, grocery store owners and meat sellers.According to the allegations, the four local shops suffered financial losses of several lakhs pending payments.
Ashiq Abu responds to the issue
Producer Aashiq Abu has now given a detailed clarification on the issue. He stated that OPM Cinemas had assigned food related responsibilities to a Vadakara native named Sajith at the time when the shooting of Vilangad took place. According to Aashiq, Sajith was responsible for handling the food arrangements of the unit.The producer explained that the production company had transferred the funds for this purpose and kept proper documentation of these transactions. The response was given through an official statement released under the banner of OPM Cinemas.Aashiq Abu’s statement reads, “Through 15 transactions, we transferred Rs 25 lakh to Sajith. The money was to buy supplies and offset pending payments to local merchants. We have adequate records of all such transactions. Even after receiving the full amount, Sajith did not pay the traders.”
Complaints filed against Sajith
The producer also explained the actions taken after the complaints came to the group’s attention.He said, “As soon as we came to know about the traders’ complaints, we immediately withheld the last payment due to Sajith. We also filed official complaints with FEFKA and Kerala Film Producers Association. Yesterday we filed a complaint against Sajith at the Valayam Police Station in Kozhikode for financial irregularities.”Aashiq also assured that the affected traders will receive their pending payments regardless of the outcome of the legal process.He added, “Regardless of who is legally at fault, OPM Cinemas takes full responsibility to ensure that every trader in Vilangad gets their money. We have already started collecting the invoices and bank account details of the affected merchants. All pending payments will be settled directly by us.The trust, love and support shown by the people of Vilangad during the shoot was invaluable to us. We will never leave them.”‘Aja: Sundari’ stars Joju George and Lijomol Jose in lead roles. Manu Antony has written, directed and edited the film.
