'Friends and smoke'; Writer Abhilash Pillai about lead actor's caravan

KOCHI: Director Abhilash Pillai expressed shock over the arrest of filmmakers Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamza for the possession of hybrid cannabis. Abhilash denied the rumours of drug use in film sets but feared the fact of actors and technicians using these banned substances in their personal space.

The scriptwriter opened up about his experiences of dealing with drug users in the industry.

“Though I never had any direct exchange with drug users in the set, an incident took place when I went to narrate a story to an actor inside his caravan. The actor was surrounded by his friends, and the space was filled with smoke. I recognised what it was and told the actor about my discomfort continuing narration inside the caravan. I then stormed out of the place.

Many technicians and directors have told me about their helpless state, allowing actors and other big names in industries to have their free run using these banned materials. If they react, the film will come to a halt, and there will be huge financial losses. Some others are afraid to turn against these actors as they fear losing their dates and thus witnessing a plummeting career, " said Abhilash Pillai.