Unpaid dues during film shoot: Ashiq Abu vows to pay traders directly, announces action against manager

Director Aashiq Abu has issued an official statement addressing allegations that the crew of the upcoming film Aja Sundari, starring Joju George and Lijomol Jose, failed to pay local traders in Vilangad, Kozhikode, for supplies provided during the film's production. Aashiq Abu stated that all outstanding payments owed to local traders will be settled directly by the production company, OPM Cinemas. According to the statement, the company had entrusted a Vadakara native, Sajith, with managing food and catering supplies for the film unit and had transferred Rs 25 lakh to him for the purpose. However, OPM Cinemas alleged that Sajith failed to clear the traders' dues and was involved in financial misconduct. The production company has filed a complaint against Sajith at the Valayam Police Station in Kozhikode.

The film, directed by Manu Antony, was shot in Vilangad and nearby areas for nearly three months. During the filming period, vegetables, meat, milk, coconuts, and other essential supplies for the set were purchased from local shops.

OPM Cinemas' official statement
'There have been reports claiming that OPM Cinemas failed to make payments to local traders in Vilangad. We would like to provide clarification regarding this matter. During the shooting of the film Aja Sundari in Vilangad from December 2025 to February 2026, OPM Cinemas had entrusted the food and catering responsibilities of the film unit to Sajith N, a native of Vadakara. It was his responsibility to purchase supplies and settle payments with local traders. We transferred a total of Rs 25,00,000 (Twenty-five lakh rupees) to Sajith through 15 bank transactions. We have complete records of these payments. Despite receiving the full amount, he did not make the payments to the traders.

As soon as we became aware of the traders' complaints, we withheld the final instalment due to Sajith and officially filed complaints with FEFKA and the Kerala Film Producers Association. We also filed a complaint against Sajith yesterday at the Valayam Police Station in Kozhikode regarding financial irregularities. Regardless of who is legally at fault, OPM Cinemas takes full responsibility for ensuring that every trader in Vilangad receives the money owed to them. We have already started collecting bills and bank account details from the affected traders. All pending dues will be settled directly by us. The trust, love and support that the people of Vilangad extended to us during the filming process mean a great deal to us. We will never let them down.'