The upcoming film Nariyavett starring Tovino Thomas in the lead has found itself at the center of a major scam. Director Anuraj Manoj revealed that certain individuals from Thrissur have been exploiting junior artists by charging them money under the pretense of offering them roles in the film. The director reported the incident to the Sultan Bathery police station, which is now investigating the case.
Filming for Nariyavett has been ongoing for over forty days, and the film has already involved over 5,000 to 6,000 junior artists. However, Anuraj clarified that there is currently no need for more junior artists, and any future casting will be done through proper channels. The shoot is taking place in Wayanad, where the filming locations are limited in size, making it difficult for many junior artists to attend. The casting process is now handled through coordinators, and no casting calls are being made at this time.
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Despite these precautions, some individuals took advantage of the situation. Two to three people from Thrissur, pretending to be part of the casting team, have been collecting money from aspiring junior artists. They would promise roles in exchange for a “card,” asking for sums of 1,000 to 2,000 rupees. These scamsters would assure the artists that they would get their money back once they arrived on set. However, after reaching the location, the artists were told that their money would be returned, but it never was.
After learning about these fraudulent activities, the production team filed a complaint with the Sultan Bathery police. One of the victims, who was tricked into paying 1,000 rupees, provided evidence of the scam. The director expressed frustration, noting that such scams have caused significant problems for the production. The casting coordinators from Nilambur, Kozhikode, and Malappuram are responsible for bringing in artists, but with the scams ongoing, it’s been difficult to recruit the necessary number of artists for the shoot.
This incident highlights the need for increased vigilance to prevent such scams in the film industry, ensuring that artists are not exploited under false pretenses.
