- By Talibuddin Khan
- Sat, 31 Aug 2024 03:09 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
MeToo In Mollywood: Malayalam actor and filmmaker Mohanlal on Friday broke his silence on the ongoing sexual abuse allegations in the Malayalam film industry following the release of Hema Committee Report. Mohanlal, who resigned as the president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) following the controversy, said that "wrondoers should be punished if there is evidence against them".
Welcoming the Hema Committee Report, Mohanlal said it was the right decision by the Kerala government to release the report. However, the veteran actor said that AMMA can not answer all the questions related to the sexual abuse allegations. "We request you not to put all the focus on AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists). Investigation is going on. Please don't destroy the industry," Mohanlal said, as quoted by ANI.
"We welcome the Hema Committee report. It was the right decision by the government to release that report. AMMA cannot answer all the questions. These questions should be asked from everyone. This is a very hardworking industry and many people are involved in it. But everyone cannot be blamed for this. Those responsible will be punished," the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awardee actor added.
Mohanlal further said he was not part of any power group in the Malayalam film industry and had no knowledge of the existence of any such group in the sector. "I am not part of any power group in Malayalam cinema and not aware of the existence of any such group," the 64-year-old actor said.
Multiple FIRs have been registered against many high-profile Malayalam film personalities following allegations of sexual harassment against various directors and actors in the wake of revelations in the Justice K Hema Committee report.
The Kerala government constituted the Justice Hema Committee after the 2017 actress assault case and its report revealing instances of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry.
Following the allegations of sexual harassment and exploitation cropping up against several actors and directors, the state government on August 25 announced the establishment of a seven-member special investigation team to probe them.