Stop Piracy, don't steal our films: Mammootty

Thiruvananthapuram: Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani will arrive here next week to personally oversee the probe after the alleged leak of the censor copy of blockbuster Malayalam film 'Premam', ace director Priyadarshan said on Saturday.

The development comes after Priyadarshan, who has been accused of the leak, approached Nihalani.

Speaking to IANS over telephone from Chennai, Priyadarshan said that his name is being unnecessarily dragged into it by vested interests because sound mixing of the film was done in his studio.

"I spoke to Nihalani and he has promised that he himself will be arriving in the capital city and will oversee the probe. The CBFC will have to do this because the leaked copies of the last month's released film carries the watermark of the CBFC," said Priyadarshan, adding the present trend of piracy, if not checked , will sound the death knell of the film industry.

'Premam', now being touted as a film which is going to break all collection records, had hit a rough patch very soon after its release, forcing its producer Anwar Rasheed quitting his membership from all the Malayalam film-based organisations.

The film stars Nivin Pauly, billed as the rising star of the Malayalam film industry, through a string of hugely-popular films like 'Banglore Days', 'Oru Vadekan Selfie', 'Ivide' to name a few.

State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala also got involved, instructing the Kerala Police Anti-Piracy Cell to ensure those responsible are traced and punished. Following this, police have already arrested seven people who were found to have circulated the leaked copy of the new film. Police have also decided to summon more people associated with the Malayalam film industry for questioning.

Menwhile, ace superstar Mammootty on Saturday batted the beleaguered producer Rasheed and his entire film team.

"Stop Piracy! You don't want us to steal ideas, don't steal our films! Give every film it's due ! I support Anwar and Team 'Premam'. Good luck to Nivin and Alphonse and everyone from Premam", he posted on his Facebook page.

Rasheed, within the span of a decade, has turned out to be a most successful director and also a producer with popular hit films like 'Rajamanikam', 'Ustad Hotel' (both which he directed) and 'Bangalore Days' and 'Premam' as producer.