Director Vinayan recently reflected on his 2004 film Sathyam, starring Prithviraj, Thilakan and Priyamani, revealing that the film marked a turning point in his career and led to significant hostility from a large section of the Malayalam film industry. Vinayan shared his thoughts on Facebook, explaining how Sathyam played a crucial role in his fallout with many in the industry, particularly after he advocated for an agreement between actors and producers.

Vinayan wrote:

"It has been twenty years since Sathyam was released. I couldn't help but think of this film as the Hema Committee report is being discussed, especially since the report mentions Sathyam. This film, which stars Prithviraj, Thilakan Chetan, Priyamani and Baby Tharuni, holds a special place in my life. It not only tells the story of the politics within Malayalam cinema but also reminds me of the crises and prohibitions I've faced.

Sathyam was made during a time of intense conflict when Malayalam film stars were planning to hold a program abroad, which amounted to a strike. At that time, there was no formal agreement on the payments producers made to actors. The producers argued for an agreement to ensure fairness, especially given the large sums involved, while the actors threatened to form another film chamber if their demands were not met. I sided with the producers, believing that just as agreements are made for even small transactions in other fields, they should also be made in the film industry for large payments.

At the request of the Film Chamber and the Producers Association, I stood firm and insisted that the actors complete a film before going abroad. That's how Sathyam came to be. Prithviraj and Thilakan Chetan supported the idea of having an agreement at the time. Apart from them, a few other Malayalam artists participated, with the rest of the cast, including Priyamani, coming from Tamil cinema. We quickly planned, wrote the story and script and began shooting, effectively quashing the actors' strike.

I don't know how many people in the new generation are aware that the agreement we established back then continues to this day in Malayalam cinema. Unfortunately, this stance turned many in the industry against me. It wasn't intentional; I simply believed that there was nothing wrong with having an agreement. The film also earned Prithviraj a reputation as a solid action star. Sathyam remains relevant today, as it brings back many memories and marks a significant chapter in my life."