2 Female AMMA Members Say They Were 'Not Consulted' Before En Masse Resignations Over #MeToo Storm

Hema Committee Expose: Mohanlal-led Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) executive committee members submitted their joint resignations on August 27. The decision came after the explosive findings of the 235-page Hema Committee Report which detailed the shocking working conditions of women professionals in Malayalam cinema. Days after the en masse resignations, former members of the governing body - actors Sarayu and Ananya have expressed their dissent in the dispersion of the executive committee 
 

Actors Sarayu and Ananya express dissent on AMMA resignation row 

The 17-member AMMA led by actor Mohanlal dissolved on August 27 after several members were accused of sexual abuse and inappropriate behaviour. As per the statement issued by the AMMA, the en-masse resignation decision was taken unanimously over a meeting with all members present. A day before Siddique, chairman of the body stepped down from the position following allegations of abuse. Days later, Ananya and Sarayu who were formerly members of the committee have shared that the decision to dissolve it was taken without their approval. 

Sarayu shared that the decision to dissolve the AMMA sent out a negative picture of the governing body. The claims come after some reports asserted that the committee was dissolved due to the differences between the members. However, in responding to Ananya and Sarayu's allegations, the former leadership of AMMA in a media statement shared that “protest does not hold any merit." They even questioned how the actresses were still exercising their roles in the committee despite it being dissolved.

Why did the AMMA executive committee resign? 

In the statement, as per OnManorama, the AMMA shared, “In light of allegations made by some actors against some of the committee members, AMMA has decided to dissolve the executive committee taking moral responsibility. A new committee will be formed after an election within two months."
 

The statement further read, “We hope that a leadership that is capable of revamping and strengthening the association will take over soon. We are thankful to everyone for pointing out our errors.” This comes after on Sunday AMMA general secretary Siddique and chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy and film icon Ranjith quit their posts. President of AMMA, superstar Mohanlal whose wife is hospitalised in Chennai had earlier expressed his inability to be present at Kochi to take part in the meeting and hence it took place online.