Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 13 (NationPress) The prominent Malayalam film producers are currently at odds regarding the June 1 strike. Leading producer Antony Perumbavur claimed on Thursday that there has been no definitive agreement concerning the strike on that date.

Previously, veteran producer G. Suresh Kumar advocated for a total halt of the Malayalam film industry in response to escalating salaries and unfavorable policies.

“I don’t believe a decision for a complete shutdown has been reached. Suresh Kumar might have personal motives behind this call. Numerous individuals rely on our industry for their livelihoods. It’s astonishing how Kumar could arrive at such a conclusion,” stated Perumbavur in a social media update.

Upcoming star Prithviraj and well-known actor Unni Mukundan, who also manage production companies, have voiced their support for Perumbavur against Suresh Kumar.

However, Suresh Kumar retaliated, asserting that he holds a significant role in the producers’ association and cannot make unilateral decisions without consulting others.

“We initiated the shutdown call for June 1 following extensive discussions with all sectors of the film industry. I have the meeting minutes as proof,” said Kumar.

He remarked that he began producing films when Perumbavur was merely watching them.

“I have no comments on such reckless statements. Antony Perumbavur has rarely participated in these meetings and lacks knowledge of what transpired in last week’s discussions,” Kumar added.

On February 6, various Malayalam film organizations announced a complete shutdown of all film-related activities, including production and screenings, starting June 1.

While making this announcement last week, Suresh Kumar stated that the industry, which is already struggling with numerous films failing at the box office, has left producers in a difficult position.

“No other industry faces a tax burden of 30 percent, which includes GST and additional entertainment taxes. The government must intervene and eliminate this,” Suresh Kumar insisted.

He continued, noting that actor compensations have soared to unprecedented levels and need to be reduced.

“Over 60 percent of a film’s budget is consumed by actor salaries, creating significant challenges for producers. They seem unconcerned, and we cannot proceed in this way,” he remarked.

He pointed out that even new actors demand substantial fees, as do directors, and a film that should take 50 days often drags on for 150 days.

“We recover less than 10 percent from theaters compared to the actors' salaries. We will not support films produced by these actors. In the previous year, 176 Malayalam films failed at the box office. In January 2025 alone, the losses for theaters amounted to ₹101 crore,” Suresh Kumar concluded.