Ahaana Krishna, the Malayalam actor known for Luca and Pathinettam Padi and daughter of Malayalam actor and BJP leader Krishna Kumar, is not a part of the upcoming Malayalam film Bhramam starring Prithviraj Sukumaran. The makers clarified on Tuesday that the issue was not political.
Bhramam, starring Sukumaran and Raashi Khanna in the lead roles along with Mamta Mohandas, is the Malayalam remake for the 2018 Hindi black comedy crime thriller film Andhadhun. The film wrapped up shooting on March 6.
Following rumours of Krishna not being a part of the film because of political reasons, the makers of Bhramam, Open Book Productions issued a statement clarifying the same on Tuesday.
The executive producers of the film said that they “categorically deny political affiliations or any other considerations had anything to do with the casting and choice of technicians of the film”.
The makers mentioned in the statement that the decision of casting and selection of the crew members are taken by the creative team of directors, DOP, writers and producers.
“Any changes were as per the demand of the script and also with the consent of Team Bhramam,” the statement read.
Affirming the fact that Krishna was initially considered for the film, they said that they had mentioned that the final decision will be taken after the costume trial and look-test.
The Bhramam makers stated that they had clearly mentioned that despite making advanced payments, she was forbidden from announcing that she might be a part of the film. But there were news articles regarding the same which the makers clarified was not from their side.
Eventually, the camera testing got delayed, which the makers claimed that Krishna was working on another film and post that she had tested positive for Covid-19. Later, when they performed the photo shoot, the creative team “felt she won’t fit the character which we communicated to her and even apologised for the inconvenience and assured her we would work together again”.
Ahaana Krishna Photoshoot Stills
The makers claimed that Krishna was informed and aware of all the steps involved and expected that she “won’t blame us for there being any politics in this”.
“As professionals with more than a combined experience of 100 years in cinema we believe and take all precautions that the art of cinema should be untouched by discrimination based on cast, creed, colour, gender, religion or politics,” the makers clarified.
Open Book Productions expressed “deep pain” regarding the assumptions made about Bhramam and expressed “regret” about the crew members and lead actors being drawn into the issue.
Clarifying that the crew members or the actors had “absolutely nothing to do with casting decisions of Bhramam”, the makers categorically emphasised that Sukumaran was not involved in any of the decision or process.
“Keep me out of it, I am not even in the picture. I have not blamed anyone; whatever is being said in this drama is some other people’s opinion,” Ahaana wrote on her Instagram story on Tuesday.
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Andhadhun starred Ayushmann Khurrana, Radhika Apte, Tabu in the lead roles, along with Anil Dhawan in a pivotal role. Andhadhun was adapted from a 2010 French short film L’Accordeur (The Piano Tuner).
Khurrana played the role of Aakash, a pianist, who faked being blind to improve his piano skills, while Apte played the role of Sophie, his love interest. In a strange twist of events, Aakash witnesses a crime and soon gets further entangled in a bizarre series of problems.
In Bhramam, Prithviraj will be stepping into the role of Khurrana, while Khanna will be playing the role of Apte. Mohandas will be playing Tabu’s role.