'Omitted that scene as per Mammootty's instruction, I lost the great actor Mohanlal because of Mammootty'

Director Sajan has opened up about how he lost the opportunity to work with actor Mohanlal after his film 'Geetham'. 'Geetham', which starred Mammootty in the lead role, was written by SN Swamy. Geetha, Sreevidya, Thilakan, Innocent and Mala Aravindan also played important characters in the film.

"While doing the film, I felt it would be good if Mohanlal played an important character in the film. Although that character had very few scenes in the film, Mammootty too felt that it would be good if Mohanlal played that character. Following this, I approached Mohanlal and he agreed to do the role," Sajan said.

"I brought Mohanlal into the film through Century Kochumon. They both are close friends. Lal, who was shooting for another film in Kottayam, reached Kochi every morning and acted in Geetham. One day, Mammootty asked me to omit an important scene of Mohanlal from the film. The scene features Mammootty throwing away a liquor bottle in anger and Mohanlal turning away and replying 'It is too bad'. Mammootty felt that if that scene was shown that way, his performance would lose its impact. He insisted on cutting that scene and I had no choice but to cut that scene," he said.

"Later, when Lal came to dub for the film, he asked me where that particular scene was. I struggled to give a reply to him. Then Swamy told him that the scene was omitted. Lal, who understood everything, simply said, 'Okay okay good.' After completing the dubbing, he asked me if anything was left, to which I replied 'no'. Before leaving, Mohanlal told me, 'We will not work together anymore.'"

"I understood that Mohanlal felt hurt because of my decision to omit the scene. I was also disturbed. However, I could not have taken the film forward by defying Mammootty. Mammootty was the hero of the film, after all," Sajan said.

"Although I had later approached Lal several times for a film, he did not say 'Yes' to do the film. I thus lost the opportunity to work with that great actor. Despite not working with me in films, he still attended several private functions accepting my invitation. I did not lose my friendship with Lal," Sajan added.