Kochi: In the wake of the ongoing controversy which shakes up Malayalam film industry like never before,   Megastar Mohanlal has stepped down from the post of president of Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) on Tuesday. It is reported that the resignation has come as the result of growing dissent within the organisation regarding the stand of the organisation in connection with Hema Committee Report and the seemingly unstoppable allegations which have been coming thick and fast, tarnishing the image of the actors and the organisation.

On Tuesday, news about the resignation of a section of the executive committee has been doing the rounds in film circles. The move of the section of the committee is being seen as the growing dissent in the committee. 

Following the resignation of the 17 members of the executive committee members, the committee has been disbanded.

Besides President Mohanlal and General Secretary Siddique, the executive team members Jagadish, Jayan Cherthala, Baburaj, Unni Mukundan, Kalabhavan Shajon, Suraj Venjarammoodu, Joy Mathew, Suresh Krishna, Tini Tom, Ananya, Vinu Mohan, Tovino Thomas, Sarayu Mohan, Ansiba Hassan and Jomol  too have resigned. 

The mass resignation of AMMA executive members is being perceived as the latest in a series of dramatic developments that followed the release of the Hema Committee report. Emboldened by public and media support, as well as the government’s stance that victims would be protected, many female artists have come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct against prominent actors and directors. These revelations have been causing continuous tremors in the Malayalam film industry, taking away the sheen out of the stars. 

Following sexual allegations against him, AMMA’s General Secretary Siddique resigned from his post on Sunday. Although it was rumoured that actor Baburaj would be appointed as the new president of the organisation, he too had to step back after facing similar allegations. With continuous allegations being raised one after another, the organisation found itself in deep trouble, unable to convincingly justify its position and failing to take a firm stand regarding the ongoing controversy.

Though it was expected that the president of the organization, Mohanlal, would address the media regarding AMMA's stance, he informed that he would be unavailable due to some inconveniences. His stance has been severely criticized as he failed to respond to the ongoing controversy. The indifference of AMMA towards the problems faced by female artists, who are also members of AMMA, has been harshly questioned. The mass resignation has come in the wake of this scenario.