The decision to go on an indefinite strike was made in a meeting by the Kerala Film Producers Association, the Kerala Film Distributors Association, the Film Employees Federation of Kerala, and the Film Exhibitors United Organisation of Kerala.

G. Suresh Kumar, addressing the media last week, said that the producers are struggling as the salary for actors and chief technicians is huge and demanded the state government reduce the double taxation on movie tickets.

“In Kerala and other film industries, when we say a movie has entered the 100, 200, and 500 crore clubs, it is based on the gross collection. I do not understand on what basis Suresh Kumar said that if an actor makes a film, that film will not be screened in Kerala,” he said.

He criticised the association for not informing him of the decisions of the association. “He (Suresh Kumar) mentioned the production cost of Empuraan without any knowledge. I have not disclosed the budget of the film,” added Antony.