Mohanlal Resigns and AMMA Dissolved Amid Sexual Assault Scandal: Key Figures Under Fire
In a dramatic turn of events, actor Mohanlal has stepped down as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), and the organization’s executive committee has been disbanded. This upheaval follows serious sexual assault allegations against prominent members, including Siddique and Baburaj, who were serving as the general secretary and joint secretary, respectively.
The scandal erupted when Siddique resigned on Sunday amid accusations of sexually assaulting a female actor. Baburaj, also accused of assault by a junior actor, initially resisted calls to step down, denying the allegations.
AMMA, a powerful organization in the Malayalam film industry, faced intense scrutiny for its inaction following the Justice Hema committee’s damning report. The report exposed systemic sexual abuse, a controlling power group within the industry, and the mistreatment of junior actors.
♦Also Read| Mohanlal Health Bounce-Back: Superstar Set to Shine Again!
Siddique had previously dismissed claims of a “casting couch” culture, attributing the issues to a few “isolated incidents” of harassment. The resignations and dissolution of AMMA’s executive committee followed actor Prithviraj Sukumaran’s admission that AMMA had failed to adequately address the issues highlighted in the report.
As the Malayalam film industry grapples with this significant crisis, a new committee is expected to be elected within the next two months.