The Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA), a prominent organization representing various workers and technicians in the Malayalam film industry, has publicly accused actor Biju Menon of skipping promotional activities for his films, leading to substantial financial losses for a producer. The allegations, spearheaded by FEFKA's General Secretary B. Unnikrishnan, have ignited a debate within the industry regarding the contractual obligations of actors and the importance of their participation in film promotions.

During a press conference on Monday, February 9, 2026, B. Unnikrishnan stated that Biju Menon's absence from promotional events for Jeethu Joseph's film, Valathu Vashathe Kallan, resulted in a loss of ₹25 lakh for a producer who is also a director. According to Unnikrishnan, the producer lost a significant amount of money from a television channel deal because Menon did not attend the promotions. He further emphasized that attending promotional events is a contractual obligation under the Producers' Association. Unnikrishnan questioned why actors do not take these commitments as seriously as salary negotiations. He urged that the same level of commitment shown during salary discussions should be applied to fulfilling promotional duties.

The FEFKA General Secretary also criticized the frequent tardiness of actors on set, which reportedly causes delays in shooting schedules and increases production costs. FEFKA advocates for greater discipline and stricter enforcement of contractual commitments to help films achieve their commercial potential and protect the interests of technicians and crew members.

In response to the controversy, actor and filmmaker Anoop Menon shared his perspective, noting that while promotional activities are generally part of the contracts, the specific dates for these activities are not always clearly defined. He raised the question of potential scheduling conflicts, such as an actor filming in a remote location, which could hinder their ability to attend promotional events. Anoop Menon also pointed out that the extent of an actor's involvement in promotions is often influenced by the marketing investment made by the producer. He stressed the importance of mutual trust and understanding in these situations, cautioning against hasty judgments.

Biju Menon has yet to release a public statement addressing the allegations.

This controversy has surfaced amidst broader reforms in the Malayalam film industry aimed at improving working conditions and addressing financial challenges. FEFKA and the Kerala Film Producers Association (KFPA) recently signed an agreement to reduce working hours on film sets from 16 to 12 hours and standardize facilities for technicians. The film bodies have also expressed concern over high actor remuneration and have requested the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) to negotiate on this issue. KFPA claims that the industry is running at a loss with around 99% of films failing in cinemas.

FEFKA, established in 1993, is the primary body of 21 trade unions representing over 8,000 members across various departments of the Malayalam film industry. The organization plays a vital role in advocating for the rights and interests of film technicians and workers and promoting the industry's artistic and cultural aspects.