AMMA's first reaction to Hema Committee Report: 'We need time...'
The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), a key organization in the industry, has decided to reserve its comments until its members have fully reviewed the report.
Updated : August 19, 2024 05:27 PM ISTThe Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), a key organization in the industry, has decided to reserve its comments until its members have fully reviewed the report.
Actor Siddique, the General Secretary of AMMA
The Justice Hema Committee Report, which probed the working conditions and safety of women in the Malayalam film industry, was finally released to the public on Monday, ending a wait of more than four years. The report, initially submitted to the Kerala government in 2019, had been withheld due to various reasons, including a Kerala High Court petition against its release.
The findings of the report have sent ripples through the industry, particularly as it highlights the hostile working environment for women, including widespread sexual exploitation of young professionals aspiring to build careers in cinema. The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), one of the most powerful organizations in the industry, has chosen to refrain from making immediate comments until its members have fully reviewed the report.
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Siddique, the General Secretary of AMMA, addressed the media, emphasizing the need for careful consideration before making any public statements. "I know that I am responsible for commenting on it, but first, I have to read it," he said.
He further explained, "Except for knowing that the report has come out, we don't know much about it. We don't know what its findings are, how the issues mentioned in the report are affecting us, and what issues we should comment on—we don't have clarity on these matters." Siddique noted that AMMA members had been preoccupied with preparations for an upcoming show, keeping them from immediately studying the report.
Siddique, however, promised that the AMMA would provide all the necessary assistance to address the problems and make the industry a safe place for women. "If there are mistakes, we are ready to look into them with an open mind," he added.
He also promised the AMMA's commitment to supporting any policies the government might propose for the betterment of the film fraternity while showing caution against rushing to conclusions without proper information. "Definitely, there needs to be action against such exploitation. But first, we need to know who has been exploited. Was there a complaint? Against whom are these allegations made? First, we need to study, and we can't comment on hearsay," he explained.