Actress and producer
Sheelu Abraham expressed her discontent with actors
Tovino Thomas, Asif Ali, and Antony Varghese (Pepe) in a recent promotional video in which she claimed that they unfairly excluded other
Onam releases. In the video, the three actors extended well wishes for their own films slated to release during Onam, which sparked controversy for neglecting other projects.
Taking to her Facebook handle, Sheelu publicly criticized the trio, stating, "Dear Tovino, Asif, and Pepe, thank you for giving us a glimpse of how 'power groups' operate.
In the video you shared, showcasing your camaraderie, you’ve misled the audience into thinking that only three films are releasing this Onam. You've completely overlooked our films – Bad Boys, Kummattikali, and Gangs of Sukumara Kurup – which are also part of the Onam lineup. But let’s not forget, the Malayali audience is stronger than any self-serving power group. Our film hits the screens tomorrow, and I genuinely wish success for all Onam releases, hoping everyone sees a return on their investments."
Arm | Hindi Song - Tu Hai (Lyrical)
The actress and producer believes the promotional video is a blatant example of how ‘power groups’ function in the film industry, ignoring smaller films and sidelining them from the spotlight. Sheelu's remarks have sparked a conversation about the need for fairness and inclusivity in film promotions.
Omar Lulu, the director of ‘Bad Boys’, also lent his support to Sheelu’s statements. He questioned, “Asif, Tovino, Pepe... haven't you all faced struggles to make it in cinema? So why have you chosen to overlook us now?"
Meanwhile, both ‘ARM’ and ‘Kondal’ have hit the big screens on this day and are receiving good reviews.