Film producer Mai Imsahal has asked Lebanon’s Actors Association to press charges against singer Yuri Mrakadi, and to stop the screening of Mrakadi’s first film “al-Hayat Muntaha al-Litha” (Life, Extreme Pleasure) because he refused to portray a Jewish character in a 2003 film, according to the Jordan-based online news website Albawaba.com.

The report said the dispute dates back to a 2003 mishap in which Mrakadi allegedly broke a contract to appear in Imsahal’s film “Kawalees” (Behind the Scenes) because the script called for the actor to portray a Jewish character. Mrakadi had allegedly taken part of his salary in advance as a down payment.

Members of artistic associations tried to mediate between Yuri and Mai to try and resolve the dispute, but Mai refused the negotiations, insisting the singer had wronged him.

After trying in vain to convince Yuri he would not be type-cast as a Jew for playing a role in a film. Mai accepted the decision and replaced him with actor Ahmad Haroun.