New filmmakers' association to embrace all voices including poster pasting boys, says Ashiq Abu

Director Ashiq Abu has come forward with more clarification on the new organisation in Malayalam Cinema. In a note posted on social media, he said that the idea is to have a ‘Progressive Malayalam Filmmakers Association’. A different name will be adopted after the organisation is officially established. He further explained that the vision is for everyone involved, from producers to those pasting posters, to be filmmakers.

Ashiq Abu stated in the note that there will be representation in the governing body from all sections of cinema. Once the organisation is in place, the leadership will be selected democratically. Until then, an interim committee will function. He explained that the organisation will take full shape through elections following that.

Behind the Letter

"What is circulating in the news is based on a letter that came out during the discussion stage of the organisation. The letter that was handed over for general idea formation was unofficially released. Many things were misunderstood because the names of the people who participated in the discussion were in that letter. The news also came with the pictures of the people named in the letter as 'leaders' in the yet-to-be-formed 'organisation'. Publishing this notification because an official clarification is required at this stage,” the note continued.

The news release was published in the name of directors Ashiq Abu, Rajeev Ravi, Kamal K M and Ajay Atat. Earlier, news came out that a new Malayalam film organisation was formed under the leadership of Ashiq Abu, Lijo Jose Pellissery, Anjali Menon, Bineesh Chandra and others. But director Lijo Jose Pellissery and producer Bineesh Chandra have stated that they are not part of the particular association.

The release of Hema Committee Report has paved the way for open discussions in the Malayalam film industry. The formation of a new association of filmmakers in lieu of the FEFKA (Film Employees Federation of Kerala) is one among them.