Director Sanal Kumar Sasidharan has levelled serious allegations against actor Tovino Thomas, claiming that the actor's reluctance has hindered the release of the film ‘Vazhakku’. The budget of the movie was split, with Tovino investing 50% and Parrot Mount Pictures, a production company in which Sanal is also involved, contributing the remaining 50%. 

According to Sanal, Tovino's apprehensions stemmed from concerns about his burgeoning star status and the potential for controversy surrounding the film's release. Sanal suggests that Tovino's reluctance is driven by a fear of tarnishing his image and being associated with any negative fallout from the film. Despite overcoming various production challenges, including budget constraints and scheduling issues, Sanal asserts that Tovino's influence has been a major obstacle in securing screenings and exploring OTT release options.