(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Putting an end to all speculation, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy yesterday said the state government had no moral right to accept the money they gave superstar Mohanlal for staging a performance.
The actor was paid for his musical band's performance at the opening ceremony of the 35th National Games, held here last week.
"The government had entered into an agreement with Mohanlal for the conduct of his programme. Even if he intends to return the money, the Kerala government has no moral right to take back the cash," Chandy said.
Since the event, which incidentally was the debut performance of Mohanlal's newly-formed musical band Lalisom, both the superstar and the government have come in for much criticism over the poor quality of the programme.
Snubbed by a massive social media outcry targeting Mohanlal, the film star in an e-mail to Kerala Sports Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan offered to return the Rs16.3mn he had taken towards expenses incurred. Mohanlal also pointed out that he had not charged any fee for his appearance.
Sources close to the actor said yesterday morning that he had mailed a draft for Rs16.3mn to the state government, thereby attempting to put a lid on the controversy.
Chandy, meanwhile, had to face a barrage of questions on the rationale behind the government defending Mohanlal's inferior quality programme.
"I spoke to him when we fixed his programme and he had made it very clear that he had very little time. Now after all that has happened, we feel sad that a great artiste like Mohanlal had to face such a controversy. We will not accept the money which he has said he will return," the chief minister insisted.
Chandy also claimed that some vested interests have been trying to sabotage the National Games being held in the state.
"First they said the Games will have to be postponed, then they claimed the equipment would not arrive. Once each and every venue was completed in time, they went after other things. The closing ceremony also will be conducted as planned and, mind you, the budget for each programme was fixed way back in 2011," the Kerala chief minister said.
"We have not changed any officials from the games committee, even though it was formed before our government assumed office," said Chandy, adding that once the games ended on February 14, he would take a call on all the allegations that have been raised.
Meanwhile, Malayalam superstar Mammootty came forward to defend his beleaguered colleague.
Mammootty has asked for support from all to end the hounding of Mohanlal. At a hurriedly called press meet here, Mammootty urged all to support Mohanlal.
"An artiste takes a lot of pain in organising events. Mohanlal is our pride and please see the spirit with which he came forward to hold the event. One should see his good intentions," said Mammootty, adding that he had come forward in support of Mohanlal as a colleague, friend and artiste.
Mammootty, however, left the venue without taking any questions from the media
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