Mamitha Baiju says her statement about director Bala was misconstrued: ‘Haven’t experienced physical or mental harm’

She added, “I have worked with Bala Sir for close to a year including pre-production and production of the film. He has always been kind enough to help me become a better actor. I would like to reiterate that I have not experienced any mental or physical harm or any other sort of abusive behaviour during my work on that film.”

Vanagaan has Suriya and Mamitha in the lead roles, however, both the actors left the projects and were replaced by Arun Vijay and Roshini Prakash respectively. While many reports claimed that she left the project due to Bala’s behaviour, Mamitha has clarified that it was untrue. She claimed she left Vanangaan due to professional commitments. On the other hand, Suriya left the project due to creative differences with Bala.

Mamitha, earlier, told the YouTube channel, “There’s something called Villadichampaatu in it (Vanangaan). Seeing it, I asked if I (the character) had been practicing it for a long time (and was experienced) or if it is depicted as she is attempting it for the first time. I was told that my character is portrayed as having extensive experience. In such a scenario, I should be adept in the movements, right? Because when performing, you have to sing while playing a drum, and it’s done in a particular style too. He (Bala) then pointed me to a woman (a Villadichampaatu artiste) and told me to look at her doing it. As soon as I looked, he said okay and announced that we were going for a take. I was shocked and not ready for it.”

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She added, “I hadn’t even understood what they were singing. It took me three tries to learn it. In between, he scolded me quite a few times. He had told me beforehand that he would be like that and say stuff (scold) and advised me not to take it seriously even though it might be hurtful at that time. So, I had mentally prepared for this while on set. He used to beat me too. Suriya sir already knew about it (Bala’s ways) because they had worked together before. So, their rapport was good, and I was the new one in this dynamic.”

However, she didn’t claim that she exited the project due to the incident. Vanangaan is set to hit the theatres this summer.