Kochi: Veteran actor and director Lal has openly criticised the improvisational acting style of renowned actor Jagathy Sreekumar, stating that deviating from a pre-approved script without the director’s consent should not be encouraged, regardless of the actor’s stature.

Lal made the remarks during a promotional interview for the second season of the web series Kerala Crime Files. Speaking candidly, he addressed a long-standing industry observation about Jagathy, often referred to as "Ambili Chettan," who is known for delivering spontaneous lines and gestures during takes that deviate from the written script.

“One of the most repeated things we hear about Ambili Chettan is that during spot shots, he often delivers dialogues or performs gestures that aren’t scripted. That’s something we should never encourage,” Lal said.

He stressed that such improvisation, while it may sometimes appear clever or talented, often disrupts the flow of a scene. According to Lal, when one actor strays from the script without informing the director or co-actors, it can throw off the rhythm of the performance and negatively impact others in the scene.

“Even if the actor pulls it off well, the next actor waiting for their cue is left in an awkward position. They may try to adjust, but it often looks forced. In that moment, one actor shines while the other is made to look weak,” he explained.

Lal emphasised the importance of collaboration and sticking to a mutually agreed-upon script, adding that creative inputs should always be discussed with the director beforehand.

He added that every line and every cue is for a reason. When someone disrupts that, it should not be called a smart move; it’s inconsiderate.