Prithviraj has criticised AMMA in the wake of the Hema Committee report.
Actor Prithviraj Sukumaran recently spoke on the Justice Hema Committee report and the stories shared by victims.
While senior actors Mohanlal and Mammootty have maintained silence about the Justice Hema Committee report – which highlighted issues such as sexual harassment, lack of basic amenities, gender bias and pay disparity in the Malayalam film industry – younger actors are speaking out openly. Actor Prithviraj Sukumaran recently spoke on the report and the stories shared by victims.
Prithviraj said he was among the first to testify before the Justice Hema Committee. He also hoped that action would be taken against any culprits identified. Prithviraj criticised the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) for not handling the complaints of victims properly, particularly pointing out the organisation's lack of response to his Avan Chandiyude Makaan co-star Sridevika's complaint against director Thulasidas. “There is a need for strict intervention and action from AMMA,” he said.
When asked about the impact on the film industry, Prithviraj said there should be a strong response to it. “Just because I have not faced any problems from the so-called influential group doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I haven't experienced it, but if anyone in Malayalam cinema has been affected by such a group, their complaints should be heard. If such a body exists, it should be abolished,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Justice Hema Committee report has created a stir in the Malayalam film industry. Malayalam filmmaker Ranjith on Sunday resigned from the post of Kerala Chalachitra Academy chairman after Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra accused him of misbehaviour. Meanwhile, Association of Malayalam Film Artistes (AMMA) general secretary and senior Malayalam actor Siddique has also resigned from his post after being accused of sexual assault. He has also filed a police complaint against actress Revathi Sampath, who has alleged that she was assaulted.
The Association of Malayalam Film Artistes (AMMA) last week reacted to the Justice Hema Committee report on working conditions and sexual exploitation in the Malayalam film industry. AMMA welcomed the report but denied the presence of powerful groups and rejected claims of casting couch.
