An emergency meeting of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) that was set to take place in Kochi on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, has been unexpectedly postponed. This move comes as a wave of allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct by women in the Malayalam film industry continue to surface, raising serious concerns within the once-respected organization.
The meeting had initially been scheduled to address the resignation of actor Siddique, the general secretary of the association, who had stepped down on Sunday, August 25, 2024. His resignation came in the wake of sexual assault allegations made by actor Revathy Sampath. Veteran actor and AMMA president Mohanlal, who is reportedly in Chennai, cited “inconvenience” as the reason for postponing the meeting.
Actor Baburaj, who serves as the joint secretary of AMMA, confirmed the delay, stating, “A new date will be announced later after mutual consultations within the committee.” Baburaj is also embroiled in controversy following accusations of misconduct made by a young actor, who alleged that he had misbehaved with her at his residence in Aluva, Ernakulam, under the pretext of discussing a new film project.
Baburaj has vehemently denied these allegations, providing an alibi that he was not residing in Aluva during 2019 as claimed by his accuser. “I was staying in Munnar in 2019. I had started staying at my house in Aluva only from 2020. I had not called anyone by claiming that a discussion with directors and technicians of a film can be done at my home,” he asserted. Baburaj further accused certain individuals within and outside the association of attempting to derail his chances of becoming the secretary following Siddique’s resignation. He declared his intention to take legal action against those he believes are behind the “baseless allegations.”
The turmoil within AMMA is far from isolated incidents.
. Following the revelations by Bengali actor Sreelekha Mitra and Revathy Sampath, which resulted in the resignations of filmmaker Ranjith and Siddique respectively, actor Minu Muneer added to the growing list of complaints. In a Facebook post, Muneer recounted her own experiences of physical and verbal abuse at the hands of actors Mukesh, Maniyanpilla Raju, Edavela Babu, and Jayasoorya, dating back to 2013. “As a result, I was forced to leave the Malayalam film industry and relocate to Chennai. I am now seeking justice and accountability for the trauma and suffering I endured,” she wrote.
Maniyanpilla Raju has rejected these allegations, suggesting more such claims will emerge, driven by “monetary gains” or frustration from those who failed to secure the roles they desired in movies. His statements add a new layer of complexity to an issue that is already highly charged and divisive.
The absence of comments from Mukesh, Edavela Babu, and Jayasoorya has left an open question on how the industry will deal with multiple allegations of this severity. Silence from these major players only fuels the ongoing debate about the deeply entrenched issues of sexual harassment in the film industry and what needs to be done to address them effectively.
The postponement of the AMMA meeting points to a larger crisis that the Malayalam film industry is grappling with—a reckoning with its past misdemeanours and the urgent need for systemic change. As more women come forward, the pressure on AMMA to implement stringent measures, ensure accountability, and create a safer working environment in the industry intensifies.
This series of revelations and accusations have not only tarnished the reputation of some of the most celebrated names in Malayalam cinema but also raised crucial questions about power dynamics, professional integrity, and the treatment of women in the industry.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how AMMA and the broader film community will respond to these allegations. Will this be a turning point leading to substantial reforms, or will it be another instance of sweeping issues under the carpet? The eyes of the public and the media are keenly trained on what steps the association will take next, and how it plans to rebuild trust and credibility within an industry that has been rattled to its core.
The evolving crisis within the Malayalam film industry serves as a microcosm for a global movement against sexual harassment, echoing the profound societal shift towards holding the powerful accountable and amplifying the voices of survivors.
