Amid crisis, Malayalam cinema gets a new film association

A vision statement from the proposed organization, Progressive Filmmakers’ Association, has been circulated to industry members.

The letter, which has been seen by the media, is reportedly signed by noted filmmakers Anjali Menon, Lijo Jose Pellissery, Rajeev Ravi and Aashiq Abu, actress Rima Kallingal and producer Bineesh Chandra.

According to the vision statement, despite the significant contribution it makes to the economy and cultural landscape of the state, the Malayalam film industry remains stuck in outdated systems and practices.

“As filmmakers-producers, directors, technicians, we are the foundation on which this industry stands: creating jobs, driving innovation, and fostering creativity. Yet we often find ourselves in a disjointed, fragmented environment, far removed from the progressive norms of modern industries,” the report said.

The vision statement called on film stars to unite in the Progressive Filmmakers’ Association and assured that this collective would form the backbone of a new era for Malayalam cinema.

The new association would be built on the pillars of “ethical responsibility, systematic modernization and empowerment of the workforce, creating a workplace that is fair, just and reflective of the values ​​we hold as a society.”

In the note, the filmmakers also stated that it is time to bring the Malayalam film industry into the present, embracing modern systems, legal frameworks and collective responsibility.

This partnership is based on principles that prioritize equality, collaboration and social justice. It aims to ensure that the rights of all in the film world are safeguarded and that collaboration is encouraged to take the industry to the next level, the report said.

“Together, we can renew and position the Malayalam film industry as a leader in both creative excellence and industry standards. This is not just a vision for us as filmmakers, but a vision for a better, fairer future for everyone involved in cinema. Let us move forward together,” the note added.

The formation of a new film association came weeks after differences arose within existing organisations such as the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) and the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA). These differences arose over the positions taken by the leadership regarding the revelations in the Justice Hema Committee report, which shed light on the harassment and exploitation in Malayalam cinema.

Director Aashiq Abu recently resigned from FEFKA due to differences of opinion.

The executive committee of the AMMA, headed by top actor Mohanlal, also recently resigned over the controversies.

The Justice K Hema Committee was set up by the Kerala government after the 2017 actress sexual assault case. The report exposed cases of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry.

After the report was made public and allegations of sexual harassment and exploitation surfaced against several actors and directors, the state government on August 25 announced the formation of a seven-member special investigation team to probe the allegations.