Out of the blue, award-winning script writer Rajesh Thillenkeri woke up to hundreds of phone calls from strangers questioning his ‘true identity’. The reason? Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) published the picture of the murder-accused Akash Thillankeri alongside Rajesh Thillenkeri’s name in the PSC bulletin.

Speaking to Mathrubhumi English, the script writer said the whole experience has been deeply traumatic for him. So much so that he had to stop working on his next project, which is set to begin shooting next month.

“I am currently working on the script of a new film, which is scheduled to begin shooting next month. But this issue has caused me immense mental stress, and I have been unable to write. For the past two days, I have received hundreds of calls from unknown people asking, often mockingly, whether I am Akash Thillankeri. Some callers even asked whether I would be willing to carry out criminal activities on their behalf. The whole experience has been deeply traumatic for me,” Rajesh said.

Controversy erupted when the PSC Bulletin published the details of the 49th Kerala Film Critics Awards 2025, on May 15 this year. Even though the article rightfully named Rajesh Thillenkeri as the winner of the Best Screenplay award for the script of his film ‘A Pregnant Widow’, the photograph that was used alongside his name was that of Akash Thillankeri, the former leader of CPM.

Rajesh, who feels that a serious damage has been caused to his reputation and dignity, has decided to file a case in the High Court on Monday. “PSC has clearly made a serious mistake here. That is why I am filing a case in the High Court on Monday. I have already spoken to my lawyer. A mistake of this magnitude should never have happened in a PSC bulletin. Had it been any other body, I might have let it go. But this is PSC, and I cannot simply overlook it.”

The script writer is concerned about the fact that a government body like PSC is not utilising basic fact-checking tools that are commonly available today. Furthermore, he received no call from the officials at PSC, acknowledging the mistake. Therefore, the script writer has decided there is no room for compromise and that he is entitled to compensation from PSC.

“Alongside Mohanlal, Kalyani Priyadarshan and Anaswara Rajan, one of the photographs was supposed to be mine. Instead, they published Akash Thillankeri’s photograph in my place. This is something that should never be repeated. Even if PSC contacts me and offers an apology, I am not prepared to compromise on the matter. The damage has already been done, and an apology alone cannot undo it. I am entitled to compensation from PSC for such a grave mistake,” he concluded.