Malayalam superstar Mohanlal has spoken for the first time on the Hema Committee report on the allegations of sexual exploitation of women in the Malayalam film industry. He said that the entire Malayalam cinema industry is responsible for this report. He said that it is not right to question only the Malayalam Movie-Artists Association (AMMA) regarding this report. As far as power groups are concerned, I do not know about any power group. I am not a part of it. I have not read the Hema Committee report. After the Hema Committee report came out, Mohanlal resigned from the post of AMMA President on 27 August. After this, the executive committee of AMMA also resigned. Regarding this, Mohanlal said that none of us has run away from our responsibility. Read Mohanlal’s full statement…
The Hema Committee report should be welcomed. I have presented my point of view before the committee twice. I request everyone – do not ruin the Malayalam industry. The government’s decision to release this report was right. I have served as AMMA president for the last two terms. The entire Malayalam cinema industry is accountable for the Hema Committee report. We are seeing that all questions are being asked only to AMMA. AMMA cannot answer all questions. These questions should be asked to everyone. This industry is a very hardworking industry, in which many people are involved. Not everyone can be blamed. Those who are responsible will be punished. I cannot answer your questions. It is the job of Kerala Police to answer. You ask questions to the government. The police is investigating the matter. We cannot change the law for anyone. Now many people are saying that AMMA should not have been run this way. If you have suggestions on how AMMA should be run, contest the elections. This is a difficult time. Everyone has to fight together. It is true that there are some differences within AMMA. We will take necessary action for this. Elections will be held soon. None of us has run away from our responsibility. Please do not make unnecessary allegations against the association. As far as power groups are concerned, let the names come out. I am not aware of any power group. I am not a part of it. I have not read the report of the Hema Committee. National Commission for Women sought the full report of the Hema Committee
Meanwhile, on Saturday, the National Commission for Women (NCW) issued a press release informing that the Commission has taken necessary steps to obtain the full Hema Committee report. The Commission also said that in view of the seriousness of the matter, it will discuss with the concerned officials and take appropriate steps for women’s safety. Kerala Film Employees Federation will not protect the culprits
On the other hand, on Saturday itself, the Kerala Film Employees Federation (FEFKA) also issued a statement. The Federation said that it will not protect the members facing charges in connection with the Justice Hema Committee report. If these members are arrested, they will be suspended from the Federation. FEFKA is the apex body of 21 trade unions working at different levels in the Malayalam film industry. The report came on August 19, AMMA dissolved on August 27. There have been allegations of sexual exploitation of female artists in the Malayalam film industry for the last several years. In 2017, a Malayalam actress accused 7 people including actor Dileep of sexual harassment. Malayalam superstar Dileep was also arrested in this case. After this, CM Pinarayi Vijayan constituted the Hema Committee under the chairmanship of a former judge of the Kerala High Court to investigate the condition of women in the film industry. In December 2019, this 233-page report was submitted to the government, in which exploitation by many big artists came to light. The government made this report public on August 19, 2024 after five years. AMMA members were also accused of sexual exploitation in the report. After this, on August 27, 2024, 17 members including AMMA President and South Superstar Mohanlal resigned from their posts. Also, the Malayalam Movie Artists Association (AMMA) was dissolved on 27 August. Rape allegations against actor Siddique, who has won the state film award
A Malayalam actress accused actor Siddique of rape. After this, Siddique resigned from the post of general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists. Siddique, who has worked in 300 Malayalam films, has been awarded the Kerala State Film Award for the film Sasaneham Sumithra. On the other hand, another actress has accused Ranjit, who directed award-winning films like Nandanam, of misbehavior. After this, he has resigned from the post of head of Kerala Chitrakala Academy. According to the actress, Ranjit misbehaved with her during the production of the film Paleri Manikyam. Women accused of wrong demands
The commission’s report raises questions on many such incidents that took place inside the film industry, due to which the work culture of the Malayalam film industry is under question. According to the report, many women working in the Malayalam film industry have alleged that wrong demands are made to them even before starting work. It is written in the report that this is a world full of glamour in which everything looks fine from a distance, but from the inside it is disgusting.
