REBUTTAL

Kerala production house responds to African actor's allegations of racism

samuel-abiola-1 Actor Samuel Abiola Robinson

Responding to Nigerian actor Samuel Abiola Robinson's allegations of racial discrimination, Kerala film production house 'Happy Hours Entertainment' said the actor had entered into a contract after he agreed on paper with the remuneration; the allegations of racism pained them, they said. 

Robinson, who played the title role in Malayalam film Sudani From Nigeria, alleged that he faced racial discrimination from the makers of the film. 

In a Facebook post on Friday, Robinson said he was paid far less than his co-actors who are “not half as popular, experienced or accomplished” as he is. He claims he came to know about it after his discussion on payments with other young actors.

“I am of the opinion that this happened purely because of my skin color and the assumption that all Africans are poor and don't know the value of money,” Robinson had said.

"His allegation is that we did not give him the remuneration he deserved. And it flies in the face of the contractual agreement," said a statement from the makers of the film. "After the film became commercially successful, we shared with him the hope that everyone who is part of the film will have a share of that happiness. It is a fact that the film still runs to packed houses. But it is equally true that a share of the profit would not reach us until due course of time elapses and unless the usual procedures in the film industry are completed."

"Was “underpayment” racism?"

"This allegation is painful for us. We exerted no pressure on Samuel to cooperate with us, if he was not satisfied with the amount we offered. He entered into the contract with his right to pull out of the film, provided he had any objection. It is distressing and a cause of self-contempt for us that racist undertones or interpretations are atrributed to this."

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