2018 director Jude Anthany lashes out against Antony Varghese: ‘Ungrateful’, ‘Doesn’t deserve to be in cinema’

Director Jude Anthany Joseph has never been the one to mince words. Following the success of his latest movie 2018, the filmmaker recently weighed in on the ‘ban’ on Malayalam actors Sreenath Bhasi and Shane Nigam for alleged use of drugs on film sets.

Jude, in an interview with Movie World Media, lashed out against Shane Nigam’s RDX co-star Antony Varghese, alleging that the actor had taken Rs 10 lakh advance from the co-producer of Falimy and opted out of the movie, days before its shoot.

Also read: Shane Nigam, Sreenath Bhasi face ‘ban’ from Kerala film bodies, ‘can't cooperate with actors we can't tolerate’ 

“A lot of people think Pepe (Antony Varghese) is a good person,” said Jude, adding that he had planned to work with the Angamaly Diaries actor in Falimy that he was initially co-producing. “Pepe had taken Rs 10 lakh advance for the film and used it for his sister’s wedding, and then 18 days before the movie’s shoot, he opted out.”

Jude further explained that he didn’t want to reveal anything about this incident earlier because his associate Nithish Sahadev was making his debut as a director with the film. “So, it’s not about drugs, it’s about the lack of humanity or the guts to disrespect people. I don’t want to discuss the kind of things that he (Antony) has done,” said Jude.

Also read: Jude Anthany Joseph: Even leading DOPs dropped out of 2018 as they believed it was impossible to shoot the floods 

Soon after withdrawing from Falimy in 2019, Antony had signed up for RDX director Nahas Hidayath’s Aaravam, which had to stop shooting midway. “It’s because of everyone’s curse,” Jude said, adding that Antony was eventually forced to return the money to the producers of Falimy.

The director said that there are a lot of “people who don't deserve to be” in this industry. “If it’s not for (Lijo Jose) Pellissery, there’s no reason to entertain people like Pepe. There are many who show ingratitude in this industry. You have to respect cinema, and not forget the way you came,” he said.

Also read: 2018 review: The Kerala story of hope, humanity and resilience, expertly crafted by Jude Anthany Joseph 

The shoot of Falimy, which now has Basil Joseph in the lead, wrapped up recently and Jude said that this was the reason he was opening up about the incident. “When people are criticising Shane Nigam and Sreenath Bhasi, the true ‘hero’ is hiding,” Jude said, adding that the actor is “ungrateful”.

Antony, who will next be seen in Tinu Pappachan’s Chaaver, is yet to respond to Jude’s remarks.