Veteran actor Thilakan hits out against superstars

Veteran actor Thilakan today alleged that the 'so-called' superstars in Malayalam cinema were enforcing their own 'hidden agenda' with the pomp of money to put down other actors.Addressing a dharna in front of the Municipal Corporation office here, organised by 'Malayala Vedi,' a cultural organisation, demanding lifting of the 'undeclared ban' on certain actors, he alleged some superstars were even resorting to "goondaism" under the banner of fans associations.The superstars were spending huge sums to foster fans associations and trying to isolate actors they did not like, he said.Thilakan had recently come out with the charge that he was omitted from 'Christian Brothers,' the new film of Director Joshi at the instance of Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) and 'a superstar,' whom he did not name.The actor was booked for the film for 25 days and the producer had also given him an advance. He was replaced by Saikumar at the last minute on the directive of FEFKA, the producer had claimed.FEFKA was apparently miffed at Thilakan for acting in a film being directed by Vinayan, who had broken away from the mainstream film outfits. Thilakan said his decades-long acting career, right from the theatre, had been a long struggle which he had fought and won to earn recognition in the tinsel world.