New Delhi:

Actor Mohanlal today praised the government for releasing the Justice Hema Committee report, which details allegations of sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry. The former Association of Malayalam Movie Actors (AMMA) president’s remarks come in the light of an avalanche of sexual assault and rape allegations against some of Mollywood’s biggest names, including veteran actor Siddique and filmmaker Ranjith Balakrishnan.

“We welcome the Hema Committee report. It was the right decision by the government to release that report. AMMA cannot answer all the questions. These questions should be asked from everyone. This is a very hardworking industry. Many people are involved in it. But everyone cannot be blamed for this. Those responsible will be punished, investigation is going on,” the actor said.

The 235-page report by Justice Hema Committee, published after redacting names of witnesses and the accused, notes that the Malayalam film industry is controlled by 10-15 male producers, directors, and actors.

Mohanlal said he was not part of any power group in the Malayalam film industry and he has no knowledge of the existence of any such group in the sector. He said Malayalam cinema is a huge industry where thousands of people work and the actor’s association AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists) could not address issues that cropped up there.

This is the first time that Mohanlal has addressed the media since the release of the expert panel report.

“Wrongdoers should be punished if there is evidence against them,” the “Drishyam” actor said while referring to the allegations of sexual misconduct and assaults that surfaced against some of the members of the Association.

The 64-year-old resigned from his post at the AMMA earlier this month after the allegations surfaced, and was criticised by many for not staying in power and ensuring that the victims get justice.

Other members of the film body’s executive committee also submitted resignations as the #MeToo storm in the state grew stronger.

A statement from AMMA said the top decision-making body had taken “moral responsibility” and dissolved itself “in light of allegations made by some actors against some of the committee”.

Thiruvananthapuram:

Actor Mohanlal has resigned as President of the under-fire Association of Malayalam Movie Actors, or AMMA, following an avalanche of sexual assault and rape allegations against some of Mollywood’s biggest names, including veteran actor Siddique and filmmaker Ranjith Balakrishnan.

All members of the film body’s executive committee have also submitted resignations.

A statement from AMMA said the top decision-making body had taken “moral responsibility” and dissolved itself “in light of allegations made by some actors against some of the committee”.

An election to form a new committee will be held within two months, AMMA said.

Senior figures in the Malayalam film industry face sexual abuse complaints following the public release of the Justice Hema Committee report last week. The report – which includes multiple shocking stories of abuse – was submitted to the Kerala government in 2019 but then buried.

It was made public this month after clearing legal challenges from film industry members.

NDTV has spoken to several women who have complained against top Malayalam actors and filmmakers, including actor Baburaj, who was AMMA Joint Secretary before he too resigned.

READ | “Hoping For Justice…”: Young Kerala Actor Claims Rape By Actor Baburaj

A junior artiste told NDTV he raped her at his home in Ernakulam district in 2019, after inviting her there on the pretext of a role in one of his films. He has claimed the allegation is false, and meant to scupper his chances of succeeding fellow thespian Siddique as General Secretary of the film body.

READ | Malayalam Actor Siddique Files Complaint Over Sex Assault Claim

Siddique quit last week over another sexual assault claim. He has lodged a police complaint against his accuser, Revathy Sampath, who said she had been “sexually abused… physically and mentally”.

READ | “Hugged, Kissed Me”: Malayalam Actor To NDTV On Sexual Abuse

Another actor, Minu Muneer, has accused prominent actors M Mukesh and Jayasurya, as well as two others, of physically and verbally abusing her on the sets of a movie in 2013.

“I had a bitter experience while shooting… I went to the restroom and when I came out, Jayasurya hugged me and kissed me without my consent. I was shocked and I ran out,” she told NDTV.

Maniyanpilla Raju, one of those accused by Ms Muneer, has called for an investigation into the allegations, claiming multiple vested interests are behind the accusations.

READ | High-Profile Resignations, Political Fallout: What’s Going On In Mollywood

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, under severe scrutiny, announced a seven-member SIT to probe all sexual assault charges.

That has not, however, stopped the predictable avalanche of political attacks from the opposition BJP and the Congress-led United Democratic Front.

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