A new controversy recently emerged over the Malayalam film ‘Aja: Sundari’ after local traders in Velangad, Kozhikode raised allegations over unpaid dues associated with the film’s production activities.According to Asianet News, the complaints claimed that payments for goods supplied during the film’s shooting schedule remained unstable. Reports indicate that many companies in the area were affected. The issue reportedly involved several local vendors who provided products and services during the filming.
Traders raise allegations against the team of ‘Aaja: Sundari’ film.
The matter came to light after traders from Velangad alleged that the film unit did not make payments for items purchased during the shooting period.The complaints reportedly came from vegetable vendors, milk suppliers, grocery store owners and meat sellers in the area.According to the allegations, four local stores suffered financial losses amounting to several thousand due to late payments.
Abu lover responds to this issue
Producer Ashiq Abu has now issued a detailed clarification regarding the matter. He stated that OPM Cinemas had assigned food-related responsibilities to a Vadakara native named Sajith during the period when the shooting took place in Velangad.
According to Ashiq, Sajit has been assigned to manage the unit’s nutritional arrangements.The producer explained that the production company transferred funds for this purpose and kept the correct documents for those transactions. The response came via an official statement issued under the OPM Cinemas banner.“In 15 transactions, we transferred Rs 25 lakh to Sajit,” Ashiq Abu’s statement said.
The money was intended to purchase supplies and make outstanding payments to local merchants. We have proper records of all these transactions. Even after receiving the full amount, Sagit failed to pay the merchants.”
Complaints against Sagit
The producer also explained the actions taken after complaints came to the team’s attention.“As soon as we learned of the merchants’ complaints, we immediately withheld the final payment due to Sagit,” he said.
We have also lodged formal complaints with FEFKA and Kerala Film Producers Association. Yesterday, we filed a complaint against Sajith at Valayam police station in Kozhikode regarding financial irregularities.Ashiq also assured that affected merchants will receive their pending payments regardless of the outcome of the legal process.He added: “Regardless of who is legally at fault, OPM Cinemas bears full responsibility for ensuring that every trader in Velangad gets their money.
We have already started collecting invoices and bank account details from the affected merchants. All outstanding payments will be settled directly by us.The trust, love and support shown by the people of Velangad during the shooting was invaluable to us. We will never abandon them.”“Aja: Sundari” features Joju George and Lijomol Jose in the lead roles. The film is written, directed and edited by Manu Anthony.