Prithviraj, Unni Mukundan back Antony Perumbavoor as he takes on Suresh Kumar for comments on Empuraan's budget

G Suresh Kumar seems to have stirred the hornet’s nest with his comments about Malayalam cinema being in a crisis and that Rs 100 crore clubs are merely concocted figures. After Vinayakan slammed his comments, Antony Perumbavoor has come forward, questioning Suresh Kumar’s claims about the collections of Malayalam films. Not just that, Prithviraj Sukumaran and Unni Mukundan have also backed Antony Perumbavoor. 

Antony Perumbavoor on Suresh Kumar’s comments

In a long Facebook post, Antony Perumbavoor has questioned Suresh Kumar’s claims about Malayalam films, and particularly his remarks about L2 Empuraan, which is being produced by his Aashirvad Cinemas. 

L2 Empuraan, which stars Mohanlal, and is directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, is an ambitious project of Aashirvad Cinemas. He sought to know why Suresh Kumar was making comments about matters he is not fully aware of. The movie is slated to release on March 27, 2025. 

For the unversed, Suresh Kumar earlier claimed that he had spoken to Antony Perumbavoor about the budget for Empuraan and he was told that they have spent up to Rs 141 crore till now, and this does not include Prithviraj and Mohanlal's salaries. "There is no point in simply saying Pan India, the film has to run (in theatres)," Suresh Kumar told a Malayalam media house.

While stating that the entire cast and crew of Empuraan have been working tirelessly for two years, Antony said that it is disappointing that such comments are being made about the film, instead of supporting the effort.

Also read - Anto Joseph: 'Want Empuraan and MMMN to do what KGF and Kantara did for Kannada film industry' | Exclusive 

Notably, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Empuraan’s director, has shared Antony Perumbavoor’s FB post with a comment, “Ellam oke alle anna” (which loosely translates to ‘everything all right?’) 

Unni Mukundan, who has been elevated to action superstar with Marco, also shared the Facebook post with a handshake emoji, declaring his support. 

Antony Perumbavoor on Suresh Kumar's claims about Rs 100-crore clubs

Suresh Kumar is an official of the Kerala Film Producers' Association. Antony Perumbavoor sought to know why Suresh Kumar is making public statements that were not the opinion of the majority in the association.  

While pointing out that Anto Joseph heads the association, Antony Perumbavoor wondered if Suresh Kumar is indeed speaking on behalf of the association, then why the likes of Anto have not come forward to support Suresh Kumar. 

Reacting to Suresh Kumar’s criticisms on the Rs 100- crore clubs, Antony explained that the Malayalam cinema was only following what other industries do and it is the total gross collection that the movie earns and not the producer’s share. 

Antony Perumbavoor also sought to know why Suresh Kumar made statements like “if an actor makes a film, it will not be screened in Kerala.”