Ratheesh Vega is a regular in news in recent days since he has associated with Mohanlal for the band 'Lalisom'. He has been at the face of fire as director Vinayan came out in open to criticise Mohanlal and his band Lalisom for charging big amounts as much as two crores for making their debut performance in National Games opening ceremony.

The musician has now come up to defend Mohanlal. Ratheesh Vega,who is also the founder of the band, retaliates that Mohanlal hasn't charged any specific remuneration for the event , but has asked for the base costs only. His band's performance involves musicians like Karthik, Udit Narayanan, Alka Yagnik, Hariharan, Sujatha and M G Sreekumar and so when each of theirs expenses for travel, transport and practice adds up, it will be some big money which they are not supposed to bear free or from their pockets.He adds that Mohanlal is extremely pained to hear about such allegations.

Ratheesh adds that the performance is not self-promotion but a tribute to Indian cinema and music.He asks everyone who criticise 'Lalisom' to watch the inaugural performance before they mouth unjustifiable criticisms. He points out that Sachin's presence, which was done free, could not be compared with a full-fledged music performance, like the one that they are planing for the National Games ceremony..