Actor's Financial Dispute Costs Him Big Film Opportunity
In a shocking revelation that has sent ripples through the Malayalam film industry, popular actor Hareesh Kanaran has accused producer and production controller Badusha of financial misconduct that ultimately cost him a significant role in the much-anticipated Tovino Thomas starrer 'Ajayante Randam Moshanam' (ARM).
The actor made these serious allegations during an exclusive conversation with Media One, detailing how what began as a friendly loan turned into a career setback.
The Rs 20 Lakh Loan That Changed Everything
According to Hareesh Kanaran, the trouble started when he asked Badusha to return the Rs 20 lakhs he had lent him several years earlier. "I asked for my money back, and that's when everything changed," the actor revealed, highlighting the direct connection between his financial demand and the lost opportunity.
What makes the situation particularly painful for the actor is that he hadn't approached Badusha for work initially. "He approached me for dates, I didn't go begging," Hareesh clarified, emphasizing that the producer had reached out to him first with the offer.
The actor had been officially allotted 40 filming days for ARM and was looking forward to the project. "For three or four years, I hadn't asked him for the money back... apart from saying he would give it, nothing actually happened," Hareesh explained about the prolonged delay in repayment.
Failed Attempts at Resolution and Industry Support
When informal requests failed, Hareesh Kanaran escalated the matter by contacting influential industry figure Idavela Babu for assistance. Babu subsequently spoke to the concerned person, and to Hareesh's surprise, Badusha openly admitted he owed the amount.
The actor discovered he wasn't alone in his predicament. "Many others had similar complaints," Hareesh stated, indicating a pattern of behavior. Despite the acknowledgment of debt, the money wasn't returned, and he was simply advised to keep trying to recover his funds.
The Heartbreaking Conversation with Tovino Thomas
The professional consequences of this financial dispute became painfully clear when Hareesh Kanaran met Tovino Thomas at an award ceremony after ARM's shooting had already commenced.
"Tovino asked, 'Chetta, why didn't you come for our film?'" Hareesh recalled. "I said I was called earlier but after that, I have no idea what happened. He said he heard I didn't have dates, but I was sitting at home with no other work."
This conversation revealed that false information about his availability had been circulated within the production team. The actor also tried communicating with director Jithin about the situation but found that nobody was answering his calls.
Choosing Dignity Over Career Compromise
Despite anticipating potential professional repercussions for speaking out, Hareesh Kanaran has chosen to prioritize his self-respect. "Maybe I won't get films now, but I'll live with dignity," he stated courageously.
The actor acknowledged that he might need to rely on stage programs for survival if film opportunities dry up following his revelations. However, what hurts him most is the betrayal by someone he had once helped.
"What hurts is that such an experience had to come from someone I once helped," Hareesh shared emotionally. "Why stop someone's livelihood? Many asked me to say the name, the person is Badusha."
This incident highlights the often-unseen financial pressures and personal conflicts that exist behind the glamorous facade of the film industry, raising important questions about professional ethics and personal relationships in Malayalam cinema.
