Thiruvananthapuram: Former AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists) president Mohanlal has responded to the Hema Committee report, welcoming it. He stated that he had given his testimony to the committee twice and had revealed everything he knew. He clarified that he had not evaded the issue, but had been away from Kerala due to personal reasons related to his wife’s surgery and film shootings.
Currently, AMMA is facing criticism from all quarters about the allegations against the film industry. Mohanlal pointed out that AMMA is not a trade union but a family-like organization. He emphasized that the response to the Hema Committee report should be from the entire Malayalam film industry. The industry comprises numerous organizations, but the focus seems to be unjustly placed solely on AMMA. He asserted that it is unfair to blame only one organization for the allegations, stating that AMMA’s decision to dissolve its governing body was made after seeking legal advice and consulting senior figures in the industry. Despite this, he assured that the organization would not shirk its responsibilities. He noted that issues happening in the film industry are also occurring in other sectors. While there should be investigations into wrongdoings, the industry, which employs many, should not be allowed to collapse due to these issues.
Mohanlal praised the Hema Committee report as a commendable decision by the government, which is also moving forward with legal actions. He believes that this should be seen as a progressive step for Kerala and that it will help improve the industry. He mentioned that similar calls for such investigations are being made by film industries in other states. He stressed the importance of addressing these issues to prevent their recurrence. He also highlighted the need for organizations and legal frameworks to support junior artists and reassured that he stands with the complainants, clarifying that he is not part of any power group.
