Kochi. Top actor Mohanlal and other office bearers of an influential cine artistes’ association in Kerala on Tuesday resigned en masse amid a furore over sexual harassment allegations levelled by female actresses against several male actors in the past few days.
Several actresses, including a Bengali actress, have publicly accused some of sexual harassment against some of the prominent faces of Malayalam cinema, including noted director Ranjith and actors Siddique and Mukesh. The allegations come in the wake of the Justice K Hema Committee report that highlighted sexual harassment at workplace in the Malayalam film industry. On Tuesday, the influential actors’ union – Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) – issued a statement announcing the mass resignation of its president Mohanlal and other office bearers.
Mohanlal had reportedly called an online meeting of its members to discuss the unprecedented dilemma faced by the association while he was the president, before deciding on the resignation of the executive committee members. The association said that the current administrative committee has resigned taking moral responsibility for the allegations. It is reported that after the release of the Justice Hema Committee report, some office bearers of the association faced allegations of sexual harassment in social, visual and print media. In view of this, the current executive committee is resigning taking moral responsibility. These office bearers also include actor Siddiqui, who has resigned from the post of General Secretary.
The association said that a new administrative committee will be elected within two months after the general body meeting. At the same time, it said that the outgoing committee will continue to work as a temporary system to carry forward the various ongoing programs of the association without any lapse till the next general body meeting. The statement said, “We hope that the association will get a capable leadership to improve and strengthen it. Thanks to everyone for criticizing us and improving us.” Many artists, especially women artists, have expressed happiness over the resignation of the office bearers of the association.
Actress Shwetha Menon said she welcomed the executive committee’s decision and hoped the organisation would find able leadership to carry forward its various ongoing programmes. She said a young actor like Prithviraj had the potential to lead the association. “I think Raju (Prithviraj) will be the president in future,” she told the media. Menon said she was saddened to see a veteran actor like Mohanlal facing so much stress over the developments.
Another actress Usha said, “A new committee, which can address the concerns of women and to which women artistes can boldly approach and speak openly about their issues, should come up at the top of the organisation.” Senior dubbing artiste Bhagyalakshmi also welcomed the resignation of the association’s office bearers and said that it was their responsibility in view of the sexual harassment allegations against its members.
After the publication of the Justice K. Hema Committee report on sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry, several actresses came forward and spoke about their harassment at the workplace. Amidst these allegations, the government announced the formation of a seven-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the allegations made after the publication of the Justice Hema Committee report. Following this, more complaints surfaced against several actors and directors.