Filmmaker Geetu Mohandas has issued a strongly-worded response to an allegation against her raised by costume designer Stephy Xavior about non-payment of remuneration in Geetu’s much-acclaimed work Moothon.
The controversy started after Ms.Xavior posted on her Facebook that a prominent member of the Women in Cinema Collective(WCC) had denied her payment. She neither mentioned the name of Ms. Mohandas nor the film. The allegation was made soon after director Vidhu Vincent made public her letter resigning from WCC.
In her statement, Geetu Mohandas said that the costume designer’s statement was absolutely false. She said that the costume design for the entire film was done by Maxima Basu and that Ms.Xavior was engaged for a small portion when the former had gone on maternity leave. However, due to creative differences, the filmmaker decided not to seek Ms.Xavior’s assistance.
She also stressed that women’s lynching women is not okay. The filmmaker concluded the post saying that she has no intention of hurting Stephy Xàvior. “So kindly observe that this is exactly what we should not be doing to each other. Women lynching women. If my actions have hurt you I am still ready to meet you for a conversation. I wish you all the best. A special request to all my closest industry friends – Please do not share this post in solidarity with me because we must collectively put an end to this virtual mob mentality and alienating people! I trust this post will resound to the right eyes and ears,” she said.
Here is costume designer Stephy Xavior post on the allegations:
