Claiming that the “arrows of criticism” after the publication of the Hema Committee report are being directed solely at the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), actor and former AMMA president Mohanlal on Saturday (August 31, 2024) said “the entire industry is answerable” for the issues highlighted in the report.
In his first interaction with the media after the release of the report on August 19 and the abrupt dissolution of the AMMA executive committee earlier this week, Mr. Mohanlal said he “never ran away” from reacting to the issues, but was held up due to personal commitments.
“People have been asking where Mohanlal disappeared when such an issue happened. I haven’t run away from anything. I had personal commitments in various cities and later had to be with my wife who underwent a surgery. The final mix of my debut directorial Barroz was also ongoing. The release has now been postponed due to these issues. I don’t know how to speak authoritatively. So, I don’t do press conferences usually,” he said.
Mohanlal, who made much of the comments on the issue in his opening remarks, was rather evasive to the questions posed by mediapersons. The session ended abruptly after the actor took a couple of questions, to which no direct answers were provided.
“Issues that are happening in the other sectors are part of cinema too. I welcome the Hema Committee report. I had presented myself before the committee and answered all their questions. The entire industry should answer for the report. It is not right to crucify AMMA or an individual for each and every matter. We decided to dissolve the committee after consultations with lawyers and seniors as most of the criticism was being unnecessarily directed at AMMA,” said Mohanlal.
He said the Malayalam film industry, which was “built up through hard work” and which had gained fame in the international arena, was now facing the prospect of “destruction” due to the relentless attacks which it has been facing over the past week.
“Thousands of people depend on this industry for survival. Now, this industry is facing destruction. I request you to not focus on us too much and destroy this industry. Those who are found to have done wrong should be punished.
. Actors are sentimental beings, who can get excited or even shattered by small issues. What has happened is deeply painful,” he said.
Mohanlal commented on his awareness, or lack thereof, regarding the existence of any power group in the Malayalam film industry. On being asked whether the names of the perpetrators redacted from the Hema Committee report should be made public, he said it should come out, but it is for the government to decide.
He said the report speaks about a lot of possibilities to improve the industry. “Let this be a big movement which starts from Kerala. I hope it happens in every other field,” he said.
To most of the questions, the actor’s oft-repeated reply was “what can I say about this?”
“If you ask me more questions, I won’t be able to answer because these are things beyond my control,” he said.
The Hema Committee report has stirred significant controversy in the Malayalam film industry, bringing to light various issues pertaining to misconduct and organizational inefficiencies. While many have welcomed the report for shedding light on these issues, there has also been a considerable amount of backlash, particularly against AMMA. Critics argue that the industry body should have taken more proactive measures to prevent such issues from occurring in the first place.
However, Mohanlal’s remarks suggest that the responsibility should not rest on one organization alone, but rather the entire industry should come forward and be held accountable. This call for collective responsibility aims to ensure that the necessary changes are made across the board rather than targeting a single entity.
The dissolution of the AMMA executive committee has brought the organization into a temporary state of flux. While some believe this was a necessary step to mitigate the criticism, others think that it may lead to further instability in the industry. As Mohanlal stated, this decision was taken after consulting with legal advisors and senior members, indicating a strategic move to protect the organization from being the sole target of criticism.
Mohanlal’s comments also reflect a deep concern for the future of the Malayalam film industry. The fear of its potential collapse due to continuous scrutiny highlights the importance of constructive criticism aimed at improving the industry. As he mentioned, thousands of livelihoods depend on this industry, making its stability crucial for many.
The mention of his directorial debut Barroz also highlights the personal sacrifices and professional hurdles that industry members face. The delay in the release of his film due to these issues serves as a microcosm for the larger disruptions faced by others in the industry.
In conclusion, while the aftermath of the Hema Committee report has placed enormous pressure on AMMA, Mohanlal’s call for wider accountability across the entire industry presents a balanced perspective that aims to foster constructive change without dismantling the structures that support thousands of livelihoods.
