Hema panel report: Mohanlal says film industry is responsible but actors’ fraternity is blamed for everything

Thiruvananthapuram: Ace actor Mohanlal on Saturday broke his silence on the shocking revelations in the Justice Hema Committee report that has rocked the Malayalam film industry. He said the entire industry is responsible for the questions raised but the actors’ fraternity is the target of everything and is being blamed for everything.

He said that Malayalam cinema is a huge industry employing thousands of people and the actors’ association AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists) cannot address all the problems arising there.

Cinema is part of society and what happens everywhere also happens in the industry, the “Kireedam” actor told reporters.

It was the first time that Mohanlal, who recently resigned as AMMA chairman, addressed the media after the release of the Hema panel report, which shed light on the alleged harassment and exploitation of women professionals in the Malayalam film industry.

The actor said during a program that the association’s executive panel, headed by him, recently resigned due to “unnecessary allegations” leveled against the panel after the publication of the report.

Mohanlal justified his alleged delay in responding to the report’s findings by stating that he never shunned his responsibilities, but he could not appear before the media for the past few days as he was away from the state due to his personal and professional commitments.

He said he had been part of the film industry for the past 47 years and it was “painful” to answer questions about the unfortunate problems in the film industry.

He said that as a film professional he had made two statements to the Hema committee and that he had no knowledge of their content, other than what had appeared in the media.

However, he said he was not aware of the revelations in the report about the alleged presence of a powerful group in the film industry.

“I am not part of any power group in Malayalam cinema and do not know about the existence of such a group. I have heard about it for the first time,” the actor said.

The national award-winning actor also justified the actions of AMMA, whose board recently resigned under his leadership.

“AMMA is not an organization with a trade union character. It was founded for the welfare of its members….The entire film industry is responsible for the questions about the Hema panel,” he continued.

There are several associations and organisations active in Malayalam cinema, but AMMA is being targeted and blamed for everything because of the revelations in the report, he alleged.

“It is not right to crucify an organisation just because of all these issues,” Mohanlal said.

Most of the questions were directed at the actors’ association and himself, which recently led to the resignation of the executive panel, according to the top actor.

He claimed that their resignation was not a failure or an escape from responsibilities within the organization, but was perceived as a consequence of several unnecessary accusations leveled against them.

Let new people come and lead AMMA, he said.

“Hikers should be punished if there is evidence against them,” Mohanlal said, referring to allegations of sexual misconduct and assaults that came to light against some members of the association.

The senior actor stated that the release of the Hema committee report was a good decision by the government and that the report has made several suggestions to steer the industry in the right direction.

He also wanted to ensure equal rights in the film industry and urged support from the media to rebuild the film sector, which is currently facing an unprecedented crisis.

Mohanlal also appealed to everyone not to destroy the film industry, which is the source of income for thousands of people, due to the recent developments.

However, the actor did not directly respond to many of the reporters’ questions about the revelations in the Hema panel. He said it is a matter that will be assessed by the court.

PTI