AMMA General Secretary Siddique meets the media ( Photo: Screen Grab)
Kochi: Following the Hema Committee report, the Malayalam film industry’s star organization, AMMA, has broken its silence. General Secretary Siddique said that AMMA fully welcomes the Hema Committee report and calls for a strong investigation. He emphasized that the report was not against AMMA and urged not to shame innocent people by creating unnecessary controversy.
There have been general complaints about AMMA’s delayed response to the Hema Committee report. Siddique attributed the delay to the busy schedule of rehearsals. He stated that AMMA welcomes the findings and recommendations of the Hema Committee report and desires their implementation.
Minister Saji Cherian had called for discussions based on the report two years ago. AMMA provided suggestions based on the request. Siddique clarified that the Hema Committee report is not against AMMA, nor is AMMA being targeted. The committee was formed to study the situation of women working in the film industry, and AMMA’s demand for safer working conditions for women is stronger than anyone else’s.
Siddique asserted that if any crimes have occurred, the police should take action. He objected to the propagation that everyone in the Malayalam film industry is guilty. Such exploitation exists in all workplaces, and it is wrong to single out the film industry.
Siddique expressed ignorance about any power groups, stating that if needed, details about members of any such groups could be revealed. He has been in the industry for about forty years and is unaware of any power groups.
He also added that AMMA has not blocked anyone’s opportunities in the film industry. AMMA will go to any extent to resolve the complaints of actresses, and it is the government’s responsibility to bring about changes in the industry.
