New Delhi: President of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) Mohanlal and the 17-member governing committee have resigned, citing moral responsibility. The decision follows the public release of the explosive Hema Committee report, which exposed rampant sexual harassment and exploitation within the industry.
The association announced the resignation through an official statement, assuring that a new leadership will be selected soon. “We are hopeful that AMMA will have a new leadership capable of renewing and strengthening the association. We thank everyone for their criticism and corrections,” the statement read. A general body meeting to elect the new governing body is expected to take place within two months.
The resignations come in the wake of serious sexual abuse allegations against several members of the governing committee, which were brought to light after the Hema Committee report was made public on August 19. The report has sparked outrage, with numerous actors stepping forward to accuse filmmakers, actors, and technicians of sexual harassment.
Senior figures in the Malayalam film industry face sexual abuse complaints following the public release of the Justice Hema Committee report last week. The report, which includes multiple shocking stories of abuse was submitted to the Kerala government in 2019 but then buried.
It was made public this month after clearing legal challenges from film industry members.
Notable committee members who have resigned include actors Jagadish, Jayan Cherthala, Baburaj, Kalabhavan Shajon, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Joy Mathew, Suresh Krishna, Ananya, Vinu Mohan, Tovino Thomas, Sarayu, Ansiba, Jomol, and Tini Tom. The public and film fraternity had previously criticised AMMA’s silence regarding the allegations and the contents of the Hema Committee report.
Several women have complained against top Malayalam actors and filmmakers, including actor Baburaj, who was AMMA Joint Secretary before he too resigned. A junior artiste told NDTV he raped her at his home in Ernakulam district in 2019, after inviting her there on the pretext of a role in one of his films. He has claimed the allegation is false and meant to scupper his chances of succeeding fellow thespian Siddique as General Secretary of the film body.
Another actor, Minu Muneer, has accused prominent actors M Mukesh and Jayasurya, as well as two others, of physically and verbally abusing her on the sets of a movie in 2013.
“I had a bitter experience while shooting… I went to the restroom and when I came out, Jayasurya hugged me and kissed me without my consent. I was shocked and I ran out,” she told NDTV.
Maniyanpilla Raju, one of those accused by Ms Muneer, has called for an investigation into the allegations, claiming multiple vested interests are behind the accusations.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, under severe scrutiny, announced a seven-member SIT to probe all sexual assault charges.
