The Malayalam movie industry has again found itself embroiled in a controversy after a complaint was made by a popular actress against actor Shine Tom Chacko. The case, where he was arrested and let off on bail, has again opened up debate regarding drug addiction and the potential for deeper narcotic networks in the industry.
Following the furore, industry people and society at large are raising questions about the prevalence of drug use in Mollywood. The incident has made some of the film organizations more cautious, with internal disciplinary committees enhancing their activities to deal with such cases more firmly.
Joining the debate, actor Unni Mukundan—known for his character in Marco—spoke with a balanced view. He was concerned about the film industry being targeted time and again whenever such cases happen, claiming that drug abuse is a bigger issue of society and not just of cinema.
“It’s unfair to blame the film industry alone. These issues exist across various sectors. Just because a film personality is involved, the matter gets sensationalized,” Mukundan remarked.
Even while taking exception to singling out cinema, the actor also spoke about the value of accountability. He welcomed the actress’s choice of speaking up as a move in the right direction that had the potential to create an avenue for further awareness and caution in the film fraternity.
Mukundan emphasized that drug abuse is not only a problem of the entertainment industry but is a pending danger in every stratum of society, particularly among youth. He called upon schools, colleges, and educational institutions to take proactive steps in creating awareness and preventing drug abuse at the grassroots level.
Thinking about his own experiences, Mukundan disclosed that he has heard drug-related stories from an early age. He stressed the necessity of guiding and protecting the younger generation from being lured into narcotics.
The actor concluded by raising critical questions: How are illegal substances entering Kerala? How are they reaching young students? And who is enabling their distribution? These, he said, are the real concerns that authorities must address through immediate and thorough investigation.