The release of the Malayalam film Tovino Thomas’s Vazhakku has stirred considerable controversy. It is primarily due to the ongoing conflict between actor Thomas and director Sanal Kumar Sasidharan. This situation has led to the entire film being made available for free online. Here’s an in-depth look at why this happened.
Director Sanal Kumar Sasidharan releases Tovino Thomas’s Vazhakku online amid dispute
The dispute recently came to light when Sanal Kumar Sasidharan posted a lengthy message on Facebook, accusing Tovino Thomas of blocking the film’s release on OTT platforms and in theaters. Sanal claimed that Tovino feared the film might negatively impact his career. According to the director, the film, completed in 2020, was ready for release in 2021 but faced delays due to Tovino’s actions.
The allegations spread quickly, prompting Tovino and Girish to respond in an Instagram Live session. Tovino denied the accusations, explaining that his involvement was out of respect for Sanal’s craft. Additionally, he stated that he invested a significant amount in the film without expecting any financial gain.
Tovino Thomas further clarified that he had suggested an OTT release to ensure the film reached its audience. However, he claimed that Sanal’s refusal to grant creative rights to streaming platforms led to no release either way. Additionally, Sanal allegedly rejected the idea of participating in the aforementioned virtual Mumbai Film Festival (MAMI), fearing potential online leaks.
Hence in response to such claims, Sanal uploaded the entire film on Vimeo. He shared the link on Facebook with the message, “Cinema should be viewed by the audience. For anyone who wants to watch it, here is Vazhakku (The Quarrel). You will understand now why the movie hasn’t been released.”
The cast includes notable actors such as Kani Kusruti, Sudev Nair, Azees Nedumangad, Byju Netto, and Thanmaya Sol. Despite its compelling storyline and talented cast, the film’s release has been overshadowed by the ongoing dispute. Now, the film has been taken down from Vimeo.
