Mohanlal Resigns as AMMA President Amidst Scandal: What’s Next for Kerala’s Film Industry?

Mohanlal Quits as AMMA President

Top Malayalam actor Mohanlal on Tuesday resigned as the president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). Along with him, the 17-member executive committee of the influential body also resigned en masse. The committee took “moral responsibility” after a wave of sexual abuse allegations against male professionals shook the Kerala film industry following the release of the Justice Hema Committee report last week.

AMMA Dissolves Executive Committee

AMMA announced that its executive committee was dissolved and that a new panel would be elected within two months. The objective is to “innovate and strengthen” the film body. This move follows the growing outrage and criticisms directed at AMMA for its failure to act on the sexual abuse allegations within the industry.

The Decision Amidst Growing Pressure

According to insiders, the decision for the mass resignations was taken at an urgently convened online meeting, led by Mohanlal. This meeting aimed to address the unprecedented challenges the association was facing amid increasing allegations against its members and its perceived inaction against the accused.

AMMA’s Statement on the Resignation

In its official statement, AMMA declared the resignation of its office-bearers, including President Mohanlal, and mentioned that the administrative panel stepped down as a matter of “moral responsibility.” The dissolved committee will continue to manage the day-to-day functions such as distributing monthly pensions and other benefits to elderly members until the new executive committee is elected.

Support and Criticism from the Film Industry

The decision was widely welcomed, especially by several actors. Actor Shwetha Menon appreciated the executive panel's choice and expressed hope that the new leaders would continue AMMA’s various ongoing programs. Senior actor Usha remarked that while AMMA as an organization is good, some members of its executive panel were responsible for its recent troubles.

Hema Committee’s Landmark Report

The Justice Hema Committee report, released on August 19, highlighted the poor working conditions faced by women professionals in the Kerala film industry. The report detailed how women actors were routinely asked for sexual favors in exchange for opportunities, faced coercion from male colleagues, and were threatened with blacklisting if they raised complaints.

Women Actors Speak Out

Following the release of the report, several women actors came forward with allegations of sexual harassment. Among the accused are notable Malayalam cinema figures such as director Ranjith and actors Siddique and Mukesh. On Sunday, the Kerala government set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe these allegations, prompting Siddique and Ranjith to step down from their respective roles in AMMA and the Kerala Chalachitra Academy.

Executive Committee’s Unanimous Decision

Joy Mathew, a member of the now-dissolved executive committee of AMMA, stated that the decision to resign was unanimous and taken on “moral grounds.” He clarified that they were not resigning from AMMA membership but stepping down to avoid any perception of clinging to power. He emphasized that they would remain active within AMMA and continue to fight for change.

AMMA’s Membership and Benefits

Membership in AMMA provides members with various benefits such as healthcare support, pensions, and assistance for senior actors, as well as networking opportunities within the industry. Despite stepping down from leadership roles, the former committee members remain part of the association.

Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) Reacts

The Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), a group that played a key role in pushing for the Justice Hema Committee report, responded to the developments through a Facebook post. They emphasized the collective responsibility to create a future of justice and dignity for everyone, calling for a rethink, reshape, and rebuild of the industry.

Complaints Filed Against Male Actors

Meanwhile, two women actors filed complaints with the SIT investigating the allegations, accusing several male actors of sexual abuse. One of the complainants revealed that she had sent seven complaints against actors Mukesh, Jayasurya, Maniyanpilla Raju, Edavela Babu, and others.

Mukesh Denies Allegations

Mukesh, a CPI(M) MLA from Kollam, denied the allegations, claiming that the complainant was attempting to blackmail him. He recounted his interactions with the woman, stating that she first approached him in 2009 for career opportunities and later contacted him in 2022 asking for financial help. Mukesh insisted that the accusations were an attempt to extort money and welcomed any investigation.

Gopi’s Response to the Media

Actor Gopi responded to the media, stating that the court should decide on the allegations. He criticized the media’s portrayal of the issue, suggesting that the claims were being sensationalized for profit. Gopi emphasized that the court would bring logic and fairness to the matter, rather than media-driven speculation.