Actor Manju Warrier, whose film Udhaharanam Sujatha will hit the screens on September 28, has put up her views about the release of Ramaleela.
The Dileep-starrer was to release in July, days before the actor was arrested for allegedly being the mastermind behind the abduction and sexual assault of a prominent woman actor. The release was consequently postponed.
Manju, who is a close friend of the survivor, also happens to be Dileep's ex-wife. In fact, according to reports, it's allegedly because the survivor supported Manju during their divorce that Dileep nursed a grudge against her.
On Saturday, Manju posted on Facebook that she'd enjoyed working on Udhaharnam Sujatha and that she's grateful to people who'd supported the film.
She went on to say: "Another film Ramaleela will also be released along with Udhaharnam Sujatha. There have been many voices from different quarters, asking for a boycott of the film. Some have even said that the theatres should be burnt down. However, this attitude is unfortunate."
Manju noted that no film belongs to a single person and that it is the result of the hard work of many people.
"The relationship to a movie doesn't end with getting remuneration. The people behind a movie rejoice when they come to know that the movie was a success and that people loved it. That happiness is more valuable than money. Many families depend on cinema. For them, cinema is food, medicine and books," the actor added.
She spoke up in support of Ramaleela producer Tomichan Mulakupadam and its director Arun Gopi.
"Ramaleela is producer Tomichan Mulakupadam's investment. Above this, it also belongs to debut director Arun Gopi, who has lived with dreams about cinema all these years. The film also belongs to many people who have held the light to the faces of actors (light boys), those who cooked food for them, and even those who don't have their names in the credit lines. They have the right to bring the movie to the theatres and hope that people should watch it. We don't have the right to deny them this. If we do so, that is injustice done to cinema. Time won't forgive us. Let people watch Ramaleela, and let justice blossom."
Dileep is still in judicial custody after his bail plea was rejected four times by the court.