Malayalam actor Joju George is at the center of a burgeoning controversy after the release of his film 'Varavu,' wherein he alleged a prominent Mollywood actor and his wife employed paid PR strategies to undermine his movie's success and his personal image. These accusations emerged as 'Varavu' faced criticism for its outdated style.

Malayalam actor Joju George is at the center of a burgeoning controversy after the release of his film 'Varavu,' wherein he alleged a prominent Mollywood actor and his wife employed paid PR strategies to undermine his movie's success and his personal image. These accusations emerged as 'Varavu' faced criticism for its outdated style.

Malayalam actor Joju George is at the center of a burgeoning controversy after the release of his film 'Varavu,' wherein he alleged a prominent Mollywood actor and his wife employed paid PR strategies to undermine his movie's success and his personal image. These accusations emerged as 'Varavu' faced criticism for its outdated style.

Malayalam actor Joju George is in the middle of an expanding controversy after the release of the film Varavu.

In a recent Instagram live that was done as part of promotions, the actor levelled various accusations against a prominent Mollywood actor and his wife.

He claimed that paid PR strategies were being used against him by an actor and his wife following the release of the film to affect its box office performance.

George alleged that the campaign was also being used to damage his image.

He also claimed that several individuals and families in the industry used such practices to gain publicity. "I am aware of such activities, but I won't disclose any names or provide further details," he said.

The accusations are being made when Varuvu is facing a mixed to negative reaction from critics and the audience after its theatrical release. The film, directed by Sahiji Kailas, received criticism for its 90s-style storytelling, which viewers called outdated. George plays a character named Paulson who lives in the high ranges. The screenplay was written by AK Sajan.

The film registered a modest opening at the box office and collected an estimated Rs 51 lakh across India on the opening day.

George also said that the criticism surrounding the film was not entirely organic and said that organised efforts were being made to influence the public’s opinion on the film.

After George made the allegation, Lakshmi Menon, a vlogger and the wife of actor Mithun Ramesh, made a post on social media hinting at the identity of the celebrity couple that the actor mentions.

‘Isn't this the usual tactics of that spineless husband and his wife? We're above all that, brother,’ she said in her Instagram story.

She also did not name any names; however, social media users used the posts to speculate who the celebrity couple could have been.

Meanwhile, Director Shativila Dinesh made accusations against the actor on the same day. In a video on YouTube, the director claimed that George was a “headache” to work with. He also alleged that at one point the actor threw and broke 16 mobile phones on the set of Varavu.

He claimed that the actor lost his temper and attacked the phone first, which were signs that “Joju, who has become a director and producer after losing his career as a junior artist, is losing his way.”

“Joju George is the lead of Varavu. Joju George is now an artist who is more of a headache than an actor. An eyewitness told me that he threw and broke 15-16 cellphones on the set of Varavu alone. Whether he gets angry while talking on the phone or on the set, he attacks the phone first. It has no mouth; it will not retaliate. Since he is a filmmaker, he must have seen phones that someone gave away for free at home.”

“Joju George is now asking for a salary of five crores. Think about it, this is a sign that Joju, who is a director, hero and producer, is forgetting his path from junior artist to director, hero and producer. He is asking for five crores as salary. And he will also give him enough headaches," the director alleged.

Joju George trashed all the allegations made by the director at an event for the film on Wednesday. He claimed that it was an attempt to block producers from working with him by making him seem like a “terrible problem person”

“I am going to do my third film with Joshiy sir. If I am a problem person, will you do it, sir? I am working with the same directors as before. If it were so, will they call me?”

“I am 31 years old. I have acted in about 150 films. I have produced 11 films. I am doing my work after studying and understanding it. I am not standing here doing any PR work. I am standing here only with the support that people give after seeing my work. It is my misfortune to be talking to you," he added.

George also responded to claims that his wife, Abba George, was manipulating and managing paid PR efforts to shape the public opinion on his films.

The allegations gained traction online during the same time. Speaking to the media, he denied the claims and said that his wife has no role in handling publicity for the films.

The controversy comes at a time when there have been massive changes in the Malayalam film association.

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