File Photo: Kerala Actor Mohanlal
It wasn't exactly Katy Perry at Superbowl half-time. Mohanlal, superstar of Malayalam cinema, lip-synched for a nearly two-hour-long performance at the inauguration of the National Games on Saturday.
After being roasted on social media, the 54-year-old performer had yesterday offered to return the Rs 1.6 crores that he was paid, along with his band. This was the debut act for Mohanlal's band, 'Lalisom'.
But Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today said he will not accept money from the actor.
"Won't accept money from Mohanlal... No question of taking money back. The money paid was part of legal contract. Personally, I am very embarrassed for the way Mohanlal has been targeted for his performance," Mr Chandy said.
The actor has said that the fees accounted entirely for the expenses of the event, which include paying for the performers, and transport.
Even superstar Mammootty came out in support, asking Mohanlal's fans to stop the overboard criticism, saying was not correct for any performer to go through.
The opening ceremony for the 35th National Games in Thiruvananthapuram cost more than Rs 10 crores, causing deep embarrassment to the Congress-led coalition government.
According to a report by Indo-Asian News Sevice, PC George, Chief Whip for the government, has called for a CBI probe into how the money was spent.
Jiji Thompson who is the senior-most bureaucrat in the state and therefore played a central role in coordinating arrangements for the sports tournament, said, "This is a prestigious event and more care should have been taken. I just cannot ignore the various reports that has surfaced in the media about the conduct of the event. We will see that similar lapses should not take place when the closing ceremony is held on the 14th of this month."