Mohanlal breaks silence on Hema Committee Report, resignation from AMMA: ‘The state of Malayalam industry is better than other industries’

The 64-year-old actor further said, “I have also given my statement to the Hema Commission in my capacity as an actor and producer. I welcome the observations of the committee. The culprits should definitely be brought before the law. This is the task of the police. We will cooperate in every way possible… Other industries should also have a Hema Committee report. Let this be a significant moment in the film industry, starting with Malayalam cinema.”

He claimed that Malayalam cinema is currently experiencing a remarkable period of growth, gaining pan-Indian and international recognition. The actor requested the media to not inadvertently cause damage to the industry in the wake of the Committee’s findings. Mohanlal urged for a balanced approach to ensure that the industry’s progress is not derailed.

Justifying his silence over the ongoing discussion around sexual harassment in the past week, Mohanlal said that he was occupied with post-production work for his directorial debut, Barroz, and his wife’s surgery. The actor, who sidestepped several questions about the allegations made by Malayalam actors, said that he was not part of any power group.

This was the first time Mohanlal interacted with the media after the release of the Hema Committee Report and his resignation from AMMA. Apart from Mohanlal, other members of the executive committee have also resigned from their respective posts after sexual abuse allegations were made against some of its members.

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According to reports, AMMA had planned to hold an executive committee meeting to discuss the allegations of sexual abuse against the committee members. They were also hoping to find an ideal candidate as joint secretary to replace actor Siddique, after a sexual assault case was filed against him by an actress, who claimed he assaulted her in 2016.

However, the committee was in a quandary after joint secretary Baburaj, too, was accused of sexual abuse. Actresses have also accused actors Mukesh, Jayasurya, Edavela Babu, Maniyanpilla Raju, among others, of sexual harassment. The Hema Committee report was made public on August 19, five years after it was submitted to the Kerala government.

The committee was formed after a leading Malayalam actress was allegedly abducted and sexually assaulted in a moving car while travelling from Kochi to Trisshur. Actor Dileep and 12 others were arrested in the case.