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I'm not director!

D Jose

Malayalam megastar Mohanlal is unconvinced about the claims by the promoters of Kairali, the TV channel backed by Kerala's ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist), that it would be an independent venture.

The superstar told newsmen that he is yet to accept the offer by the company to join on the board of Malayalam Communications Ltd as its director. "I will see how it fares before I decide to join the board," he said. This disclosure contradicts the claim made by Kairali's promoters. The executive director, C A Sidhartha Menon, had said as late as last Saturday that Mohanlal was a member of the board.

The company, of which Mamootty is chairman, has been promoting Mohanlal as its director in all its advertisements and communication. And though Mamootty chaired a meeting of the board recently, he has not evinced an active interest in it.

Mohanlal seemed highly apprehensive about the 'colour' of the channel. Even though promoters assured that CPI (M) will have nothing to do with the channel, party has been keenly involved in all its day-to-day affairs.

Though CPI (M)-backed MLA P T Kunhumohammad is in charge of the programmes, a sub-committee in the party headquarters, headed by secretary Pinarayi Vijayan, has been vetting all major proposals to ensure that the party interests are taken care of. Though CPI (M) might not use the channel to put across its political ideology, it certainly expects the channel to help in the forthcoming elections.

In fact, CPI (M) had thought of the channel after Asianet and Surya TV headed for an anti-Communist stance. Sources close to Mohanlal said the actor is apprehensive about lending his name for any political venture. It may be recalled that his fans' association had urged Mohanlal not to accept the post, as it would jeopardise his career. Former Asianet chief, Sasikumar, who was to be the guiding spirit behind the venture, had also opted out under similar circumstances.

Opposition leader A K Antony claimed that the promoters have hoodwinked the artistes, making false claims that the channel would be independent to lure them on board. "The channel would be used by the CPI (M) to counter the onslaughts against it from the rivals in the electronic as well as print media", he said. He termed the channel as a ''living memorial'' of the corruption indulged by the CPI (M) during its current regime: "The party has mobilised Rss1 billion for the channel by misusing the official machinery and using the muscle power."

As for the shares he had purchased, Mohanlal stated that the performance of the channel would decide whether he would sell the shares that he had purchased or buy more.

The star, who has burnt his fingers in some big budget ventures including the award-winning Vaanaprastham, is aggressively pursuing his career right now. In fact, he is even considering roles in other languages. He admits, "I will accept any genuine offer. No commonplace roles for me. If I think I am essential for the film, I will do it."