Differing voices in AMMA to the fore

Differing voices in Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) have come to the fore with two office-bearers of the association having differences over the response to the allegations raised by the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) members.

The issue was regarding the reinstatement of actor Dileep, who has been accused in the case of sexual assault and kidnapping of a woman actor.

Actor Jagadeesh, treasurer of the Association, issued a statement in the morning as official spokesperson of the organisation stating that a special general body meeting would be convened to discuss the issue.

“AMMA hopes that a decision could be taken, considering the sentiments of the State’s cultural community one based on justice and above the rules governing the Association’s general body,” he said.

Jagadeesh’s remarks came after WCC, represented by actors Revathy, Padmapriya, and Parvathy, on Saturday alleged that the artistes’ body was supporting the accused and not standing with the victim in the case.

Actor Siddique, secretary of the Association, who spoke to the media later in the day at a shooting location in Ezhupunna in Alappuzha along with senior actor K.P.A.C. Lalitha, however, said that he rejected Jagadeesh’s view that a special general body meet is unlikely to be convened soon, adding that a meeting is scheduled only next June.

“Mr. Dileep had sent his letter of resignation from the Association to Mr. Mohanlal on October 10. A final decision on whether to accept it will be taken by the executive committee,” he said.

In his statement, Jagadeesh said Mohanlal was ready to bring back the four members including the assault survivor who had resigned from the Association in protest against the reinstatement of Dileep. However, Siddique said they would not be reinstated. He said those who had left the body will remain outside.

Jagadeesh said he issued the statement after discussing it with Mohanlal and other executive committee members as the official spokesperson. Siddique said Jagadeesh was not the official spokesperson, but the treasurer of the Association.

He said the place earned by actors such as Mohanlal, Mammootty and Dileep could not be snatched away by three or four actors.

KPAC Lalitha said that AMMA is an association that has no male-female difference adding that the four actors, who had resigned, could be taken back if they apologised.

‘Issues could have been resolved if it was discussed within the association meeting. We should not let others ridicule us just because we discuss the problems publicly, said the veteran actress.

However, actress Parvathy has brushed off the claims of conspiracy behind the allegations put forward by WCC.

‘Let them first clarify which is their official stand. The one mentioned in the press statement issued by AMMA spokesperson Jagadish or the stand disclosed by actors and executive members of AMMA Siddique and KPAC Lalitha’, she said.

"The most unacceptable thing Siddique said was that no such harassments take place in our industry. Even after one of our collegue had to undergo sexual abuse, they are still lying about it’, Parvathy said.

"At the same time, KPAC Lalitha tried to normalise the incident saying that such incidents take place in film industry just as it happens anywhere else,’ she stated.

We had only asked for an official statement of the proceedings AMMA took on the issue. It is the right of every general body member. We are responsible to the society. We are very saddened as they allege that we have an agenda or we are brewing up a conspiracy. We have nothing to gain from this. We only want justice to be served. We are standing for the survivor and for a safe workplace in film industry. All I can say is that they they are very much revealing themselves," she added.