Mohanlal Calls For Unity After Damning Hema Committee Report: Don't Destroy What We Have Built...

Mohanlal On #MeToo: The Hema Committee Report has jolted the Malayalam film industry with its shocking findings. The report detailed the horrifying working conditions of women in Mollywood prompting more and more victims to share instances from times they faced harassment and sexual misconduct on the job. Amid this, several industry insiders and even cinegoers questioned the deafening silence of bigwigs like Mammootty and Mohanlal in the matter. Days after the report went public, superstar and former AMMA President Mohanlal spoke out, but only to defend the governing body and industry.

Mohanlal claims ‘AMMA is not responsible for everything'

Mohanlal attended the lunch of the Kerala Cricket League in the city of Thiruvananthapuram today, August 31. Speaking to the media at the event, the actor shared that the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) has always operated as a family and called it ‘unfortunate’ that the members are being ‘hounded’. He also claimed that the condition of Mollywood is much better than other industries.

OnManorama quoted the Barroz actor sharing, "AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists) is not a trade union. It is like a family. It is unfortunate that the association is being hounded. We have done a lot of good work for its members. The state of affairs in our industry is better than other film industries," he said.

Mohanlal seeks for solution for better future amid #MeToo uproar in Mollywood 

At the same event, the actor issued assurance claiming that AMMA has been working for years for the betterment of the industry and requested people to not turn against them following the incidents. He added, ““You have all known me for years, haven’t you? How did we all suddenly become strangers to you within a day.” The actor added “Don’t destroy what we as artists have tried to build over the years. Over 10,000 people are earning their bread and butter in this industry. Let us all stand together to find a solution for the better functioning of the industry.”

This is Mohanlal's first public appearance after the dissolution of the AMMA on August 27. For the unversed, several members of the governing body were also accused of sexual misconduct by female actors and junior artists. Chairman Siddique was among those who were accused consequently making him step down from the post. This led to the en masse resignation of all AMMA executive committee members.