Churuli director Lijo Jose Pellissery hits back at Joju George’s claims with ‘proof of salary’

Lijo Jose Pellissery, who helmed the noted Malayalam film Churuli, has responded to Joju George’s serious allegations levelled against its makers. Days after Joju George claimed in an interview for The New Indian Express that he was not paid any remuneration, Lijo Jose Pellissery has put up a Facebook post, rebuffing the claims with the ‘proof’ of the salary paid to him. Read on to know the latest update about the controversy sparked by Malayalam actor Joju George.

Lijo Jose Pellissery responds to Joju George’s claims on Churuli

Churuli, the 2021 Malayalam film, is all over the news after Joju George told The New Indian Express reporters that he was not paid any remuneration for acting in Lijo Jose Pellissery’s movie and that the makers went back on their word for releasing the version with swear words in theatres.

After the issue was much talked about online and other media portals, Lijo Jose Pellissery took to his Facebook account to dismiss Joju George’s claims.

In a post written in Malayalam for the attention of his ‘dear friend Joju George’, Lijo Jose Pellissery said that he was giving an explanation due to the distress caused to his producer friends. The film with the A-certificate has not been released in theatres so far, he said, adding that there is a High Court order after a committee was set up to look into the language.

He also clarified that he does not recollect any instance when Joju George was misled during filming. “Thankan Chettan (character played by Joju George) has a good understanding of this language,” the acclaimed director said.

While pointing out the film is streaming on SonyLiv (OTTplay Premium), Lijo Jose said that the film will be released in theatres if they get an opportunity.

He concluded the post by stating that he has attached the salary details given to Joju George for his three-day ‘guest role'.

Use of expletives in Churuli

Joju George, who played Thankan in Churuli, had claimed that he said dialogues with expletives after the makers assured him that this version would only be screened at film festivals and not in theatres. Joju George said that they went back on this word.

The plot of the 2021 film follows two cops as they enter the remote and mysterious village of Churuli, looking for a culprit, but are shocked to find that the people there use swear words liberally in their daily conversations.

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