Series of complaints of misconducts, but AMMA silent

More cases of misconduct have emerged against the members of AMMA, which is already facing the heat over sexual harassment allegations leveller by several actresses. The latest on the series is an FIR, a second one, against actor Jayasurya.

"Second FIR registered against actor Jayasurya under 354, 354A(A1)(I) 354D IPC. The case was registered after the complainant's statement was recorded. FIR has been registered in Thiruvananthapuram and will be transferred to Thodupuzha Police Station,” news agency ANI quoted Kerala Police as saying.

On August 28, first FIR was registered against actor and CPI (M) MLA from Kollam, Mukesh M, following the complaint of actress Minu Muneer.

Kerala Police informed ANI on Thursday, "FIR has been registered against actor Mukesh, CPI (M) MLA from Kollam constituency. The FIR was registered on the basis of the complaint of an actress. "The police also added that another FIR has been registered against Actor Jayasurya on the complaint of the same actress, under section 354 which deals with intent to outrage modesty.

Aftermath of Hema Committee Report
Veteran actor and President of AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists) Mohanlal has resigned from his post in the wake of sexual harassment allegations against committee members. En masse resignations followed, which included Director Ranjith and Siddique (General Secretary of AMMA ). New committee is expected to be formed within two months, after a general body meeting. However, the existing committee will work on the ad hoc basis till the new panel is formed.

Siddique, the general secretary of AMMA, was facing a backlash due the allegations levelled by actress Revathy Sampath.

Another complaint was filed against actor-producer Baburaj, the joint general secretary of AMMA, and director Sreekumar Menon, by a woman who has now left the Malayalam film industry. 

The allegations include an embarrassing encounter of a woman with Malayalam film director Thulasidas while working on the film Avan Chandiyude Makan in 2007.

Further, Amrutha, a junior artist, shared a negative experience with Malayalam film director V A Shrikumar and actor Baburaj Jacob.

Several other junior artists have also come forward with their complaints.

Hema Committee Report:

Hema committee was established by Government of Kerela, in response to the Women in Cinema Collective's (WCC) petition, in 2017. The committee was formed to investigate several sexual harassment and gender inequality issues faced by women in Malayalam cinema. The panel initially submitted a 295-page report, from which 63 pages were reportedly removed, and the rest were made public on 19th August 2024 by the Kerela government. According to the report, the top people from the industry were involved in sexual harassment; the malice spread further in the form of gender bias. 

The committee was headed by retired Kerela High Court Judge, Justice K Hema,  other members included veteran actress Sarada and retired IAS officer KB Valsala Kumari.