Justice Hema Committee report fallout: Mohanlal, others resign from actors association

Kochi, Aug 27 (PTI) The Malayalam film industry remained embroiled in controversy following the Justice Hema Committee Report’s explosive revelations as AMMA president Mohanlal and its executive committee members stepped down on Tuesday, amid a slew of sexual allegations against various members.

In an unexpected turn of events, the influential actors’ body (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists) issued a press statement announcing the mass resignation of its office-bearers, including president Mohanlal.

The veteran actor, in his capacity as president, reportedly convened an online meeting of its members to discuss the unprecedented dilemma being faced by the association before taking the decision about the resignation of the executive panel members en masse.

In a statement, the association later said that the current administrative panel has resigned as such, taking moral responsibility for the allegations.

Following the release of the Justice Hema Committee report, some office-bearers of the AMMA had to face sexual allegations in the social, visual, and print media, and in view of that, the present executive panel is resigning as such, taking its moral responsibility, it explained.

The new administrative panel would be elected within two months after convening a general body meeting, it said, adding that the outgoing panel would continue as a temporary system to carry forward the association’s various ongoing programmes without fail until the next general body meeting, it said.

“We are hopeful that AMMA will get a new leadership capable of reforming and strengthening the association. Thanks to everyone for criticising and correcting (us),” the statement added.

Meanwhile, many actors, especially women, welcomed and expressed happiness over the resignation of AMMA office- bearers.

Well-known actor Shwetha Menon said she welcomed the executive panel’s decision and wished that the outfit would get new leaders who are capable of continuing its various ongoing programmes.

She said a young actor like Prithviraj has the ability to lead the association.

“I feel Raju (Prithviraj) as a president in the future. I think he has the capability… calibre for the same,” she told the media.

Menon also said she felt sad seeing a great actor like Mohanlal facing this much stress over the developments.

Another senior actor, Usha, said AMMA as an outfit was really good, but some of its members on its executive panel were troublemakers.

“A new panel, which can address the concerns of women and to whom female actors could courageously approach and open up about their issues, should come to the top positions in the outfit,” she said.

Senior dubbing artiste Bhagyalakshmi also welcomed the resignation of the AMMA panel and said it was their responsibility in the wake of sexual allegations and accusations that cropped up against its members.

The publication of the Justice K Hema Committee report on harassment and abuse in the Malayalam film industry has opened a can of worms with several female actors stepping forward with disturbing accounts of the mistreatment they faced at the hands of their various male counterparts.

Amid these allegations, the government announced the establishment of a seven-member special investigation team to probe the allegations made in the wake of the Justice Hema Committee report being published.

Following that, more complaints surfaced against many actors and directors.

The report by the Justice Hema Committee, constituted by the Kerala government after the 2017 actress assault case has revealed instances of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry, prompting calls for action against the guilty.