FEFKA General Secretary B Unnikrishnan Refuses To Step Down, Taunts Ashiq Abu Decision To Resign

Hema Committee Report: The clutches of the #MeToo movement have gripped the Malayalam film industry With new names popping up almost every day, the inequalities faced by the women professionals in Mollywood are gaining traction following the findings of the 235-page report submitted by the Justice Hema Committee on August 19. The developments have stirred massive changes like the dissolution of the AMMA executive committee and several other office bearers stepping down from their roles. Amid this, the filmmaker Vinayan had written a letter to the Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan demanding the removal of Unnikrishan, general secretary of FEFKA. , from the film policy-making committee. Retaliating to the same, Unnikrishnan has now issued a strong statement claiming that he will not give up his position, since he believes he has not done anything wrong.

B Unnikrishnan refuses to resign from FEFKA

Following the shocking findings of the Hema Committee Report, several State-run film governing bodies have come under scrutiny. Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) is one such union that was first criticised for its delayed response to the committee's findings and is now under scrutiny for letting B Unnikrishnan hold the position of general secretary in the body. Formed in 1993, FEFKA is an apex trade union body comprising 8,284 members who are spread across 21 unions of directors, technicians, editors, art directors, cinematographers, musicians, mess workers, drivers and others. Speaking to the media on September 1, B Unnikrishnan asserted that he has not done anything wrong and thus, will not be resigning from his post, despite roaring demands for the same.

The filmmaker told OnManorama news, “I did not do anything wrong. I am not speaking only for actors but for everyone in the film industry; I am their voice.” Earlier, Unnikrishnan had called for the names of the accused in the Hema Committee report to be made public so that those accused could defend themselves. He also noted that legal actions should be taken only if it is absolutely necessary. Moreover, targeting the AMMA, the filmmaker shared that Mammotty had suggested that the organisation to turn into a trade union.

Addressing issues of a ‘power group’ present in Mollywood as disclosed by the Hema Committee Report, Unnikrishnan shared, "It is not clear whether the power group in the Hema Committee report is a statement, a conclusion or a metaphor. There have always been very powerful alliances in cinema. There are production houses that make only big films continuously. There are directors, writers and actors who make films only for them. Big films will happen in that system. Naturally, everyone will try to work with them, because they want to get opportunities. There are strong alliances related to the investment market in all languages. There is no point in turning our backs on that reality." He also claimed that casting couch is a reality in Malayalam cinema and there is no point in hiding the truth.

Why did filmmaker Vinayan want B Unnikrishnan to resign?

On August 28, filmmaker Vinayan wrote a letter to the Chief Minister of Kerala demanding the removal of B Unnikrishnan from the policy-making committee. He reasoned that Unnikrishnan faced action from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) over his complaint. In 2017, the CCI had found Unnikrishnan and four others guilty of practising unfair trade practices. Furthermore, a ₹11.25 Lakh fine was slapped on the AMMA as well as the FEFKA. In his letter, the filmmaker also noted that not just the CCI but the Supreme Court too rejected Unnikrishan's plea.