Siddique on Justice Hema Committee Report: ‘How can an industry produce good cinema if there’s a power group?’

Siddique reiterated that the report isn’t against the association, and it was a study taken to understand the problems faced by its members. The actor also dismissed speculations about the presence of an all-powerful ‘mafia’ or a ‘power group’ that dictates what happens in Malayalam cinema. “There was a high power committee that was put together a decade ago with representatives of all film-related associations in the state. We are not sure if that is what has been mentioned,” said Siddique, who reasoned that in all his years in cinema, he has never seen such a power group.

“There is no such power lobby. How can an industry function if there’s a group controlling all aspects?” argued Siddique, who went on to point out that movies were made for the people, and there can be no existence of a mafia. “If there was such a power group, then there would not be good cinema,” he added.

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Siddique also expressed regret over how the report has been misconstrued as a scathing indictment of the Malayalam film industry. “Ever since the report came out, there have been accusations generalising the entire Malayalam film industry and its people as bad, which is hurtful. Every job sector has issues but nobody comes up with remarks blemishing the entire sector,” said Siddique, who was joined by executive committee members Vinu Mohan, Jayan Cherthala, Jomol, and Ananya at the press meet.