AMMA welcomes report of the Hema Justice Committee

AMMA members address the media about the Hema Justice Committee report. (Supplied)

The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) on Friday, August 23, finally responded to the findings of the Justice Hema Committee report.

Addressing the media, Siddique, Secretary General of AMMA, said the association welcomed the findings of the commission and urged the state police to further investigate the atrocities and take necessary action against the perpetrators.

Siddique criticised the media for giving the impression that the Hema Justice Commission report was against the AMMA.

“AMMA was named in the report. But the association is not on the wrong side. Justice Hem’s committee was formed to study the problems faced by our members. We stand by the report and have not chosen to support the guilty.”

When asked about the “mafia” and the “power groups” in the Malayalam film industry, Siddique clarified that he was not aware of any such nexus in Malayalam cinema.

According to the veteran actor, a powerful committee was formed a decade ago, comprising representatives of all film-related associations in the state. “We are not sure if the report referred to it. But no ‘power group’ controls the Malayalam film industry.”

Siddique added that he has been in the industry for decades and has never seen a power group controlling the industry. “How can an industry function when there is a group controlling all aspects,” he questioned.

The senior actor alleged that after the Justice Hema Committee report was released, allegations have been made that put the entire Malayalam film community in a bad light. “This is downright hurtful. Every sector has certain problems but no one is coming out with comments that tarnish the entire sector,” he pointed out.

AMMA Executive Committee members Vinu Mohan, Jayan Cherthala, Jomol and Ananya also attended the press meet.

Incidentally, AMMA’s interaction with the media took place amid criticism that the association had failed to respond to the report because it itself had failed to do so.

The Justice Hema Committee report revealed that female actors face extreme discrimination in the Malayalam film industry. The report also delved into the casting couch and how women feel insecure at work.

The Justice Hema Commission was formed to look into the issues of sexual harassment and gender inequality in Malayalam cinema, following the 2017 actress assault case involving actor Dileep.

The commission submitted its report in 2019, but the government did not make it public because it was suspected that it contained sensitive information about the industry.

(Edited by Y Krishna Jyothi)