The Malayalam film industry is bracing for a possible showdown between actors and technicians, following a controversy over using computer wizardry to mask the stars' real images in a new movie.

Superstars Mammootty and Mohanlal have approached the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) with a complaint that Vinayan, director of their latest film "Boyy Friennd", has sullied their images by using computer graphics.

In the film, Vinayan has used latest computer graphics masking technology to mask both Mammootty and Mohanlal while enacting a song.

Jagadeesh, comedy artiste and treasurer of AMMA, told : "They have written to us asking us to intervene in the issue and also shot off a letter to Vinayan asking him to explain why he did this without their permission."

The AMMA executive committee has decided to seek an explanation from Vinayan.

Vinayan, however, clarifies: "I have not done anything wrong. After the song is over, it is clearly shown in the film that these were nothing but masks."

"In the film after removing their masks the actors even say they were performing a mimicry, so where is the question of sullying their image?" asks Vinayan.

Vinayan adds that a section of top Malayalam actors are gunning for his head because he has never cowed down before these superstars for dates.

He said: "The main person behind this controversy is a leading youth actor whom I gave lead roles in six of my films and he shot into stardom.

"A section of the artistes are up in arms against me because of my firm stand during an earlier row between AMMA and the Kerala Film Chamber."

The Malayalam Cine Technicians Association (MACTA) is supporting Vinayan.

K.G. George, an acclaimed director and an executive committee member of MACTA, sid: "There is nothing wrong in what Vinayan did. These two superstars are cultural icons of Kerala. But if they haven't been depicted in a vulgar form in the said song sequence, why should there be a problem?"

Vinayan said this technology has been used for the first time in Indian cinema and in the long run this technology would ultimately benefit these superstars who now use doubles in dangerous scenes.

"After this technology was successfully applied in my film, I even thought of a new film where I will bring back to life late actors Satyan and Prem Nazir to star with Mammootty and Mohanlal. But now I will have to rethink," said Vinayan.

Jagadeesh denied news reports that AMMA has decided to boycott all future projects of Vinayan.