KOCHI: Actor Mohanlal resigned on Tuesday as president of Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), following the fallout from the Justice K Hema committee report and a wave of #MeToo allegations against several prominent figures in Kerala film industry.
The committee, which probed allegations of exploitation and rights violations of women in the industry, had documented widespread sexual harassment on movie sets, during auditions, and a prevalent “casting couch” culture.
In addition to Mohanlal’s resignation, AMMA’s executive committee has been dissolved, as some top office-bearers themselves are under scrutiny for sexual abuse. Founded in 1994, AMMA currently has 498 members, including 245 women.
The decision followed an online meeting of the executive committee Tuesday. A divide arose when some wanted to continue the “fight” while others, including Mohanlal, pushed for the entire committee’s resignation to allow for a new, younger leadership.
AMMA’s executive committee released a statement confirming the mass resignation “in light of moral obligations”. The note also announced that a new leadership would be elected within two months.
Dubbing artist seeks 50% women’s quota in new Kerala actors’ body
The note also announced that a new leadership would be elected within two months. The controversy began after a redacted version of the Justice Hema committee report surfaced, detailing the pervasive abuse of women in the industry. The flood of allegations forced actor Siddique to resign as AMMA’s general secretary after a rape accusation by a young artiste.
AMMA faces was widely criticised for its inaction to the committee’s findings and revelations from several actors. Women in Cinema Collective welcomed the resignations. “Rethink, Reshape, Rebuild. We have a shared duty to forge a future of justice and dignity for everyone. Let’s create this new revolution,” read their social media post. Dubbing artist Bhagya Lakshmi called for 50% reservation for women in the new committee. Former AMMA office-bearer Shwetha Menon supported the call for a young leadership in the association.
The committee, which probed allegations of exploitation and rights violations of women in the industry, had documented widespread sexual harassment on movie sets, during auditions, and a prevalent “casting couch” culture.
In addition to Mohanlal’s resignation, AMMA’s executive committee has been dissolved, as some top office-bearers themselves are under scrutiny for sexual abuse. Founded in 1994, AMMA currently has 498 members, including 245 women.
The decision followed an online meeting of the executive committee Tuesday. A divide arose when some wanted to continue the “fight” while others, including Mohanlal, pushed for the entire committee’s resignation to allow for a new, younger leadership.
AMMA’s executive committee released a statement confirming the mass resignation “in light of moral obligations”. The note also announced that a new leadership would be elected within two months.
Dubbing artist seeks 50% women’s quota in new Kerala actors’ body
The note also announced that a new leadership would be elected within two months. The controversy began after a redacted version of the Justice Hema committee report surfaced, detailing the pervasive abuse of women in the industry. The flood of allegations forced actor Siddique to resign as AMMA’s general secretary after a rape accusation by a young artiste.
AMMA faces was widely criticised for its inaction to the committee’s findings and revelations from several actors. Women in Cinema Collective welcomed the resignations. “Rethink, Reshape, Rebuild. We have a shared duty to forge a future of justice and dignity for everyone. Let’s create this new revolution,” read their social media post. Dubbing artist Bhagya Lakshmi called for 50% reservation for women in the new committee. Former AMMA office-bearer Shwetha Menon supported the call for a young leadership in the association.