‘L2: Empuraan’ producer Antony Perumbavoor lashes out at KFPA vice president G Suresh Kumar

‘L2: Empuraan’ producer Antony Perumbavoor criticised Kerala Film Producers Association decision to call for an industry-wide strike, questioning the rationale behind the move

A week after an industry-wide strike was announced by the Kerala Film Producers Association (KFPA), noted producer Antony Perumbavoor slammed the decision. Antony, who owns the popular banner Aashirvad Cinemas, took to Facebook to criticise G Suresh Kumar, the vice-president of KFPA.

“Calling for a strike isn’t the right decision. Several families will be affected by it. Perhaps he (Suresh Kumar) was pressurised by few corners to announce the strike,” Antony wrote.

Members of The Kerala Film Producers Association, Film Employees Federation of Kerala, Film Exhibitors United Organisation of Kerala and Kerala Film Distributors Association were involved in a meeting which resulted in the calling for an industry-wide strike from June 1, 2025. The members demanded an end to the double taxation on movie tickets and a salary cut by the actors in view of the rising cost of film production.

Suresh Kumar, a noted producer himself, raised concerns about the “cost of films shooting up.” “The cost of production has skyrocketed, landing producers in a crisis. Why should producers continue to make films bearing losses? Even stars and technicians who are a few films old are demanding huge remuneration after a film turns out to be a hit,” he had told The Hindu. Reports said Suresh Kumar questioned the mammoth budget of L2:Empuraan, starring Mohanlal and directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran.

ALSO READ:‘L2: Empuraan’ teaser: Mohanlal ‘deals with the devil’ in Prithviraj Sukumaran’s ‘Lucifer’ sequel

Responding to the controversy, Antony said, “Suresh Kumar doesn’t know the cost of the film. So, how can he speak about it? The film hasn’t even been completed as it’s in the final stages of pre-production.” Antony’s post got the backing of Prithviraj, who shared it on his social media handles. L2: Empuraan is co-produced by Antony Perumbavoor and Subaskaran of Lyca Productions.