Entire Malayalam film industry is answerable: Mohanlal breaks silence on Hema Committee report

Top actor Mohanlal addressed the media on Saturday for the first time since resigning from his position with the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). The actor broke his silence on the Hema Committee report, which has been making waves in the Malayalam film industry.

According to Mohanlal, the entire Malayalam film industry is accountable for the issues revealed in the report. “If you ask why we have all quit our posts (AMMA) now, the answer is that the entire Malayalam film industry is answerable. The report has highlighted not just one issue but several. What exactly they are, you know better than I do,” he said.

He noted that issues affecting various sectors of society also occur within the film fraternity.

“The decision to step down from AMMA was a unanimous one, taken after seeking legal advice,” he said.

He welcomed the report but requested that the film industry and AMMA not be targeted, emphasising that they provide livelihoods for many people.

Mohanlal was attending the Kerala Cricket League launch.

Notably, Mohanlal and Mammootty, two of Mollywood’s most celebrated actors, have come under criticism for their lack of response to a recent report accusing the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) of serious misconduct. This new development comes at a critical juncture.

Meanwhile, Mohanlal is scheduled to attend two more public events today: the Baby John Memorial meeting at 2:30 pm and the Sreemohanam-Sreekumaran Thampi Foundation award ceremony at 6:30 pm. It is speculated that he will provide further insights on the matter.

The report alleged that actresses were pressured into compromising situations to gain AMMA membership, casting a shadow over the organisation’s practices.

The controversy has sparked a strong reaction, with calls for a complete restructuring of AMMA's leadership. Many are advocating for the introduction of a new leadership team that includes more women, aiming to address these issues and rebuild confidence in the organisation. The silence of Mohanlal and Mammootty on this matter has further fuelled the debate and intensified the scrutiny of the report's allegations.

Earlier this week, Mohanlal and other AMMA leaders resigned following serious allegations of sexual abuse made by several female actors against prominent figures in Malayalam cinema, such as director Ranjith and actors Siddique and Mukesh. These accusations emerged after a report by Justice K. Hema, which exposed harassment within the industry and was released on August 19.