Malayalam producer Suresh Kumar calls out actors over high salaries: Will Kerala film industry go on strike?

Dubai: Malayalam film producer Suresh Kumar and Vice President of Kerala Film Producers’ Association (KFPA) has criticised top actors for demanding high fees and failing to deliver corresponding returns at the box office.

Speaking at a recent press conference in Kerala, Kumar challenged actors to name a single Malayalam film that has made over Rs100 crore in share revenue, highlighting that producers prioritise share over worldwide gross figures. He pointed out that despite inflated box office claims, producers and distributors face significant financial losses.

This statement comes in the wake of a crisis in the industry, with the KFPA revealing that Malayalam cinema suffered losses between Rs 6.50 - 7 billion in 2024.

While production costs have reportedly risen exponentially, the industry is struggling to remain financially viable, claims Suresh Kumar.

In response, multiple film organisations have declared an indefinite strike beginning June 1, 2025, citing rising entertainment taxes and unsustainable actor salaries as key concerns.

Kumar also noted that many producers are on the brink of bankruptcy, with some considering leaving the country due to financial pressures. He stressed that future productions will not move forward unless actors agree to lower their fees.

In addition, the KFPA plans to launch Vellithira, a YouTube channel that will share accurate box office data. He also mentioned that nearly 176 Malayalam films failed at the box office in the past year, with many technicians struggling to make a living.

If the disputes continue, Kumar warned that the association would publicly disclose the remuneration details of actors, especially those seeking disproportionately high pay.

However, Kumar’s statements and the strike announcement have not been received kindly by everyone in the industry. Prominent producer Antony Perumbavoor of Aashirvad Cinemas and actor-filmmaker Prithviraj Sukumaran have publicly opposed the move, arguing that halting film shoots and screenings will only worsen the financial crisis.

Taking to Facebook, Antony Perumbavoor denounced the strike, calling it counterproductive to the plight of producers. He suggested that Suresh Kumar, who serves as the vice-president of the Kerala Film Producers’ Association, may have been pressured into announcing the strike without a full consensus.

“The strike will affect the livelihood of thousands of families. Calling a strike is not the right step. I believe he decided to announce the strike following pressure from a few corners,” he wrote.

Prithviraj, whose upcoming directorial L2: Empuraan is backed by Antony Perumbavoor, shared the producer’s post in support. Antony also took issue with Suresh Kumar’s comments on box office revenues, emphasising that Malayalam films reaching the Rs1 billion or Rs2 billion club is no different from trends seen in other film industries.

In the meantime, the film industry has decided to halt all film shoots and screenings starting June 1.

Reportedly, Asif Ali's Rekhachithram was the only profitable film released in January this year.