THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Actor Mohanlal said that the Malayalam film industry is going through a huge crisis and that it is unfair to crucify only the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (Amma) because there are 21 associations in the film industry. This is his first public reaction to the allegations of harassment that have surfaced since the Hema Committee report was made public.
Speaking to reporters after inaugurating the Kerala Cricket League in the city on Saturday, Mohanlal said that he was not part of any power group and that he does not know about such a group. He said that the entire film industry should be held answerable for the overall issues that were raised in the Hema Committee report.
“Movies are only one part of society, and all sectors have such issues. The Hema Committee report is welcome. I have appeared before it as an actor and producer and have deposed. I have told them what I know. They ask about movies in general, but I cannot tell,” he stated.
Stating that AMMA does not have the characteristics of a trade union, Mohanlal said it is like a family and was founded to help artists. “I resigned as president because we found that the executive committee of Amma and I were getting blamed for everything when the entire Malayalam movie industry is answerable.”
He also said that “Amma need not answer for all. I discussed with lawyers and seniors and decided to step down but the activities of the association will continue, like the disbursement of pensions, medical camps, and the construction of houses.”
Stating that he does not have answers for everything, Mohanlal said that the industry where thousands of people work can collapse. “I don’t have a ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ as an answer. Please don’t blame only us. There is a system, a govt, police, and courts. I don’t have much to say about what they have to do. My view is that anyone who has committed a mistake should be punished.”
Stating that it was time to take things forward for a better future, he said, “We will cooperate to start a clean-up. Let’s start with the Malayalam industry. This is a crisis. There is a need to reconstruct the industry. People from other film industries have asked us for suggestions. I have suggested they set up a similar committee.”
He also said that junior artists should also have an association, as “we usually approach an agency. Many people say that this is not the way to do things. Let them come forward. Elections can be held.”
Referring to the criticism that he has not responded to the allegations of harassment against prominent actors and directors sooner, he said that it was due to personal reasons he could not come and react immediately. “I haven’t fled from anything. I was in Gujarat, Mumbai, and Chennai. My wife was having surgery. The final mix of Behrouz is being done. I have also postponed the release of my movies,” he said.