Latest news with #HemaCommittee
Hans India
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
AMMA decision to elect new team, not going to be an easy affair
Kochi: The Malayalam film industry for the past over three decades has been led by Mammootty and Mohanlal as their words always commanded respect and it was the binding thread that held the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes ( AMMA) together, despite the big fat egos of the members. Of late, things in AMMA have been hanging fire ever since the Hema Committee report was released, "exposing the appalling conditions faced by women in the industry". The situation worsened when several women artistes -- mostly those in minor roles -- came forward with allegations of sexual exploitation by prominent actors. Trouble started when the newly elected general secretary, Siddique, had to quit after allegations surfaced against him last year. Even though the Mohanlal-led AMMA executive had a three-year term, following the allegations and the police complaints being registered, the team decided to resign. However, it was asked to continue as an ad-hoc committee till the next annual general body meeting. When the annual general body meeting was held here on Sunday, it turned out to be a damp squib after differences of opinion surfaced over the way forward. Finally, it was decided that instead of filling up the vacant posts of secretary and treasurer, a fresh election would be conducted. An actor on condition of anonymity said the fresh election is to be held in three months, likely in September. Meanwhile, Mohanlal has told his close aides that he will no longer take up any post and, in the best interest, let a new team consisting of the new generation of actors take over. However, the new generation of actors is not keen to run AMMA, and this has led to confusion, and what has hurt AMMA the most is the absence of Mammootty, as he is indisposed and is keeping away from all film-related activities for a while. Mammootty's words always mattered, and no one used to defy them. And now with Mohanlal expressing firmly that he is also not interested, all eyes are on who is going to play the unifying role, as talks have started on putting a new team to lead AMMA through a democratic mode.
Hindustan Times
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Mohanlal refuses to contest if elections held for AMMA, to be president again after resigning during Hema Committee
The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) is holding a general body meeting on Sunday. According to an Asianet report, Mohanlal, who was the president of AMMA, refused to contest if elections were held to fill positions, even as the ad hoc committee is pushing for him to continue his term. Mohanlal stepped down as president of AMMA after the release of Hema Committee report last year. (PTI) A general body meeting is being held in Kochi on Sunday to decide the association's fate. This comes after Mohanlal reportedly told the association he wouldn't contest if they held fresh elections to fill the posts. In the last general body meeting held on 31 May, the ad hoc committee had pushed for Mohanlal to continue his term as president. An ad hoc body with Mohanlal at the helm was constituted to manage the association's affairs. The report states that it's likely that no elections will be held and that the committee will continue without voting. Mohanlal will continue as president; he had resigned in August last year in the aftermath of the Hema Committee report. The governing body was dissolved after his resignation. Siddique, who was the general secretary, resigned after he was accused of sexual assault by several women. Unni Mukundan stepped down as treasurer in January this year, citing work commitments and mental health. The report states that Baburaj will now most likely be the general secretary, and another star will replace Unni as treasurer. The Hema Committee report A redacted version of the Hema Committee report was published last year, which rocked the Malayalam film industry. It detailed sexual, physical and mental abuse faced by women in the film industry, apart from exploitation of those in vulnerable positions at large. Earlier this month, Parvathy Thiruvothu called out the Kerala government for not implementing any steps to make the film industry a safe space to work. She wrote, 'Now can we focus on the ACTUAL reason this committee was formed? Putting policies in place to help make regulations in the industry? What is happening with that? No rush, eh? It's only been five and a half years since the report was submitted.'
News18
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Mohanlal's Ad-Hoc Committee At AMMA May Be Retained Amid Hema Committee Report
Last Updated: The fate of ad-hoc committee led by Mohanlal at AMMA will be decided at the AGM on Sunday. The committee was formed after the Hema Committee report on poor conditions for women. Ad-hoc committee under Mohanlal likely to continue at AMMA Kochi, June 21 (IANS) The fate of the ad-hoc committee led by superstar Mohanlal at the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) will be decided today during the association's annual general body meeting (AGM) here. The ad-hoc panel was constituted last year after the Malayalam film industry was rocked by controversies following the release of the Hema Committee report, which exposed the appalling conditions faced by women in the industry. The situation worsened when several women artistes — mostly those in minor roles — came forward with allegations of sexual exploitation by prominent actors. Amid mounting media attention and public outrage, popular actor Siddique, who had recently taken over as general secretary, resigned after being accused by a woman artiste. As more names surfaced, Mohanlal and the entire elected committee stepped down under pressure. Subsequently, to manage the affairs of the over 500-member strong AMMA, the same committee was reconstituted as an ad-hoc body with Mohanlal at the helm. However, actor Unni Mukundan, the treasurer, later expressed his intention to resign from the interim setup. Speaking to IANS on condition of anonymity, a leading actor said the AGM will deliberate on the way forward, especially after taking legal advice. 'Legal experts have already been consulted. At Sunday's meeting, these aspects will be presented, and a final decision will be taken accordingly," the actor said. 'If the ad-hoc committee is retained, replacements will be needed for Siddique and Mukundan. The current joint secretary, Baburaj, could be promoted to general secretary — something that has precedence in other associations. However, the final call rests with the AGM," the actor added. With AMMA's AGM generally witnessing strong participation, Sunday's meeting is expected to be a packed and potentially decisive affair. First Published: June 22, 2025, 08:50 IST
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Time of India
SIT likely to close sexual harassment case against Jayasurya, Balachandra Menon
Thiruvananthapuram: The special investigation team probing the sexual harassment complaint filed by an actress against several Malayalam film actors is likely to close the case against Jayasurya and Balachandra Menon, as it is learnt that no corroborative evidence was found to support the allegations. According to police sources, witness accounts and records are largely inconsistent with the complainant's version, with most testimonies reportedly going against her claims. The complaint, raised in the wake of the Hema Committee report, alleged that Jayasurya misbehaved with the actress during the shooting of the 2008 film "De Ingottu Nokkiye" near a restroom in the Secretariat complex. Balachandra Menon was accused of summoning her to a hotel room in Vanchiyoor and sexually assaulting her. In Jayasurya's case, the govt records indicate that the shooting did take place within the Secretariat premises on the day mentioned, but no official permission was granted to enter office buildings or rooms. The restroom the actress referred to in her complaint was reportedly demolished and converted into the forest minister's office, which made it difficult for even the complainant to identify the spot precisely. As there were no eyewitnesses or circumstantial evidence to support the charges, the only elements favouring the complaint were the actress's confidential statement and the fact that both she and Jayasurya acted in the same film. As for the allegation against Menon, sources say police were able to confirm his stay at the said hotel, but no material evidence was found to establish that the actress ever visited him there. Due to the passage of time, no CCTV footage or mobile tower location data was available to verify the claim. The case reportedly suffered another setback after a junior artist, initially cited by the complainant as a witness to the alleged misconduct, changed her statement and denied any knowledge of the incident. It is learnt that the special investigation team will soon take a call on whether to formally clear both actors of the charges, based on the available findings
News18
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Chinmayi Sripada Slams Dropped Hema Committee Cases: 'There's No Difference…'
Last Updated: Singer Chinmayi Sripada spoke to News18 about her concert comeback, the toll of being a whistleblower, Hema Committee and why the system still punishes women for speaking out. Singer, voice artist, and outspoken activist Chinmayi Sripada is in the spotlight as her voice has once again gone viral, this time through AR Rahman's Thug Life song, Mutha Mazhai. But while her songs trend and her vocals cross languages, Chinmayi continues to be shadowbanned in Tamil cinema—a fallout of her bold stance during the #MeToo movement. In this candid, freewheeling interview, Chinmayi opens up about her chameleonic voice, the ongoing battle to reclaim her career, Hema Committee cases getting dropped, and why she'll never stop speaking up for survivors—even if it costs her everything. Excerpts from the interview: Q: You have done your first solo concert in Hyderabad. Are you planning something similar in Chennai? I'd love to. I definitely wish to have a concert in Chennai. I hope the stars align and make it happen. That's what people are saying, but I honestly don't understand algorithms or engagement. If I had, my life might've been better six years ago! Q: You recently joked about a concert idea titled 'You Didn't Know I Sang This Song." That sounds… kind of perfect. People are currently surprised that many popular songs are sung by you. Exactly! I feel like that's my entire discography. People are discovering that I've sung songs they've loved for years, and they're shocked. In a way, that's great. It wasn't a plan, but I think I just took the path that the song and the composition took–If it wanted a slightly different tonality or projection or a performance from me. I am glad I was able to deliver what was asked of me at that point. And therefore, I don't think they were able to connect all of these songs or from the same singer. Because after Dheivam Thandha Poove, somebody is listening to Sandipoma and then they are suddenly listening to If You Wanna Come Along, they are like: 'Okay, how can this be the same singer, right?' Q: Some singers create a vocal signature. But you've chosen versatility. Do you see it as a strength or a challenge? I think in a way, I am looking at it as a boon because I would rather surprise the listener. I like that game. I like keeping people guessing and surprising them at the end of it when somebody is like: 'Is this Chinmayi?' That's my thing. Q: What's the one song people are most shocked to learn is yours? Initially, it was Sahana. Then Sarasara Sarakathu, Mayya Mayya too. It keeps happening. Q: What would you say is the Chinmayi voice? The one that represents you? That's hard. Every song is a part of my voice. None of it is fake. If I need to sing husky, I can. If it doesn't work, I accept that. My job is to try my best and see if I can make it work. Q: Have there been songs you've walked away from? Yes. Once because the lyrics were vulgar. It was Tamil, and it felt too much. I just couldn't do it. I don't even remember the song now. And then once, when I was 18, someone was like, 'She has produced a hit too early. So let me put her in place.' I ended up crying and leaving the studio. I couldn't sing. These things happen. A lot of singers have such stories. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sony Music South India (@sonymusic_south) Q: Let's talk about Thug Life. Did you expect that kind of viral reaction to Mutha Mazhai? This isn't new. Even Dhee sang a song in Kadhalikka Neramillai, and it was performed by some other singer on a stage. It happens all the time. With Mutha Mazhai, I sang the Telugu and Hindi versions, so singing the Tamil version was natural. I already knew the tune, and I just read the lyrics and sang. I didn't think much about it. I was given a job, and I did it. Q: How do you respond to comparisons between your version and Dhee's? I don't know what to say. My entire career has been filled with many songs with multiple versions—male, female, happy, sad. I've sung sad versions, Shreya has sung happy ones. In Uyire, Harris Jayaraj had four of us singing one song! People are acting like this is new. Q: You've worked with so many legends. Who influenced your singing the most? I didn't grow up on film songs. But I loved Hariharan sir's ghazals. Asha ji's versatility. P. Susheela Amma's timbre. L. R. Eswari Amma's theatrics. Janaki Amma's ability to sing like a man, woman, and child in the same song. Yesudas sir's subtle sangathis. Chitra Amma's range. Sujatha ji's Netru Iladha Maatram—I heard it in a theatre and that was the moment I wanted to be a playback singer. And Hai Rama? That was the love of my life for years. Q: Why do you recently only get the Telugu and Hindi versions of songs, but not Tamil? How do I answer that? If I do, it becomes a speculation. Only producers and directors can answer. But that's been the story of my life for years. A sad thing. If a film is in Telugu, I would dub it in Tamil from Hyderabad. That's a different story. But, what they call a straight Tamil film… that has been few and far between. Q: Is it because of the dubbing union ban? How does that work? All the unions associated with Tamil films come under one mothership called Film Employee Federation of South India (FEFSI). They decide who should work and who shouldn't. Now, the dubbing union is headed by heavy weights like Radha Ravi, who also hold offices in other unions. That's how most heads are like–if one is a head in an union, he would hold office in others as well. When one union bans someone, it notifies FEFSI, which then sends notice to all unions to ban the person. If someone doesn't comply, they are also given ban threats. However, such actions are not taken against sexual offenders. If I do, then, they will hold it against me that I went to the police and filed a complaint. So, it is in the union by-law that I am not supposed to go to the police. So, basically, they tell me, they function as a different country. Q: But how can a union have a bylaw saying you can't go to the police? Exactly! That's what I've been asking. This is their system. It protects perpetrators and punishes complainants. Q: So what's happening with your court case fighting this ban by the dubbing union? I've gone to court asking to overturn the ban. I want my right to work back. People say it's useless, that they'll still shadow ban me. But at least I'll have a paper in hand. Q: What about the big names and stars—can't they help you out? It's not their problem to deal with. It's only the problem of the person facing it. If you're powerful, things are taken care of. If you're not, you're left to fight. Q: In an interview you said, you are numb despite all the recent praises? What has happened can't be undone. I don't think it can be reversed. It is like a severed hand that got reattached to the body. It will have scars. Q: Your thoughts on cases reported to the Hema Committee getting dropped by police… Malayalam actress Parvathy (Thiruvothu) has asked a pertinent question. The whole point of the committee was to protect the survivors, and she rightly questioned the safety in the police investigation. Why are Reema Kalingal and Parvathy's shadow banned? On the other hand, Dileep is getting promoted despite knowing he is a contract rapist. There is no difference between here and there. At least, there they had something like the Hema Committee, which initially gave me joy. Now, women there despite knowing something horrific has happened to one of their colleagues, go and rub shoulders with Dileep. Shame! Q: Do you feel any peace that you have set a precedent in calling all these men out? Do you think that changed anything? People talk about sexual abuse now. It's a drawing room conversation. I get DMs every day. Men are opening up. I saw a reel a couple of days ago of a man who was talking about being molested on a train. He had actually caught it on video. I said this is exactly what we are talking about. I've had adult men confide in me—saying they were molested by friends, colleagues. They ask if they should tell their wives. And I say yes. Women don't judge the way men often judge women. We listen. Survivors are recognising what happened to them. I think that's progress. First Published:
