Reacting to a question on the Kerala Film Producers' Association (KFPA) banning actor Sreenath Bhasi, senior Malayalam actor Mammooty has said that denial of work is wrong. Mammootty was meeting the press on Thursday, October 4, at a promotional event of his upcoming movie Rorschach in Doha, Qatar.
“Nobody should be banned. Preventing someone from work is wrong. As far as I know, there is no ban (on Bhasi) now,” Mammootty told media persons. He also said that no one should be denied their livelihood. Actor Jagadeesh, who was also present at the press meet, claimed that there is no ban on Sreenath Bhasi now. However, the Producers’ Association hasn’t yet informed about removing the ban on Bhasi.
It was on September 21 that Sreenath Bhasi was interviewed by Behindwoods media channel as part of a promotion for his film Chattambi. As the anchor asked a question related to the title of the film, Bhasi appeared offended. Later, a short clip of the video was released by the channel in which Bhasi is heard saying that he was “pissed off” and would “like to get out”. He had then asked the camera person to stop shooting and show him some respect.
The woman's complaint to the police said that Bhasi hurled verbal abuses at her and other members of the crew once the camera was off. Sreenath was then booked on September 26 under sections 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), 354A (sexual harassment) and 294(b) (sings, recites or utters any obscene song, ballad or words, in or near any public place) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and arrested. He was subsequently released on bail.
Meanwhile, after this video came out, parts of another interview of Bhasi with Red FM, also was released, in which he is seen verbally abusing a male anchor, apparently irritated by the questions. In a later interview with Nikesh Kumar of Reporter TV, Bhasi denied abusing the woman but said he is sorry about losing his temper.
A day after Bhasi’s arrest by Maradu police, the KFPA on September 27 issued a temporary ban against the actor.