MeToo In Mollywood: A Political Storm Brews In Kerala, But Where Do Celebs Stand?

Kerala is witnessing unrest after the release of the Hema Committee report which led to the #MeToo movement in the Malayalam film industry. Apart from actresses, Kerala people have taken to the roads protesting against the state government for hiding the report for five years. They are also blaming the government for protecting actor and CPI(M) leader Mukesh M despite being booked under multiple sexual assault cases. Amid all this, bigwig celebs, such as Mohanlal, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Revathi and Parvathy have addressed the ongoing #MeToo movement and opined how to deal with the situation.

Mohanlal breaks silence on Hema Committee report

As the matter aggravated, Mohanlal, who resigned as AMMA president recently, in a press conference said these issues are beyond his capacity to address. He asserted that the ongoing issues in the Malayalam film industry can be best resolved by the government and lawmakers. He further mentioned that AMMA is not responsible for everything and the culprits should be brought before the law. He shared, “These issues are beyond my capacity to address. It is up to the government to take action and ensure justice. If individuals in the film industry have committed such acts, they should be punished. That's my personal view.”

Prithviraj demands strict action against perpetrators in Mollywood

Earlier this week, Prithviraj broke his silence and urged that female representatives should be appointed to top posts. He also voiced his strong disapproval of the actions of wrongdoers and has also blamed AMMA. "How it will affect, I do not know and if it has to affect, it should. There should be a proper probe into the report and if the allegations against someone are proven right, very strong action should be there and at the same time, if proven wrong, the same strong action should be made against those who raised it," he said.

The revelations should not be treated as jokes: Revathi

Revathi, a member of WCC, has urged that the revelations by the victims should not be treated as a joke. While speaking to the media she said the Hema Committee report aims to ensure a safe working place for people in the film industry. "People should set aside their egos and work in this direction. The revelations should not be treated as jokes with the intention to shame people,” she continued. She added that Kerala is not witnessing the MeToo allegations alone. The cause has grown bigger than that and they are fighting to ensure the movement does not end with these revelations.

Amala Paul hopes for justice

The leading actress of the Mollywood addressed the findings of the Hema Committee and expressed shock. As reported by OnManorama, the actress said, “Very disturbing and shocking things emerged from the Hema Committee report. I hope there will be justice for this." She asserted the importance of maintaining the momentum that is in motion following the report.

Parvathy slams Mohanlal for AMMA resignation

Also, a member of WCC slammed Mohanlal for resigning as AMMA president and called the move "cowardly". She added it would have been "amazing" if the committee had at least shown the intention to figure a way out to deal with the situation. "That was the immediate cop-out. Again the onus falls on us women to take the conversations and debates forward and all of it. It would have been amazing if they had at least shown the intention to work with the government and stakeholders and figure a way out," she said.

While, most of the bigwigs have reacted to the ongoing #MeToo movement, Mammotty, Fahadh Faasil and Dulquer Salmaan are yet to address the matter.