Drug abuse in film industry; organizations to take strict action if members don't correct themselves

KOCHI: There is no point in labelling someone as a criminal or a bad person. First, give them a chance to correct themselves, temporarily suspend them, and if they repeat, ban them. Film organizations have made their policy clear against those in the film industry who use drugs.

Organizations are taking a stand to intensify the cleansing process in the wake of the arrest of directors and actors for possession of drugs. The suspension of directors Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamza by the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) on the same day they were caught with cannabis is part of this. FEFKA leaders said that if more charges are found in the police investigation, strict action will be taken, including expulsion.

The Kerala Film Chamber has announced that it will take a common stand in cleansing cinema from drugs. The chamber's general secretary Saji Nanthiyattu said that corrective action will be initiated after receiving the report of the internal investigation committee on the complaint filed by actress Vincy Aloshious against actor Shine Tom Chacko. Everyone, including Shine, will be given an opportunity to correct themselves. Those who are not ready to quit drugs will definitely be expelled.

The star organization AMMA has decided to take action based on the sub-committee report on the complaint that Shine Tom Chacko misbehaved with Vincy Aloshious at the shooting location in Edappal. Although Vincy Aloshious is not a member of AMMA, it has been agreed that action will be taken against Shine if he is found guilty.