Mohanlal defends AMMA, welcomes Hema report: 'This can destroy Malayalam film industry...'
Mohanlal called for collective responsibility and urged the public not to tarnish the Malayalam film industry’s reputation in the wake of the Hema Committee report.
Mohanlal
Malayalam superstar Mohanlal on Saturday addressed the media explaining the rationale behind his decision to step down as the president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) following the release of the Hema Committee report, which has cast a shadow over the Malayalam film industry. His resignation comes amid widespread concern about the industry's future, as Mohanlal acknowledged the challenges ahead and called for constructive dialogue rather than blame.
Mohanlal expressed his support for the Hema Committee report and emphasized the need for accountability across the industry. "I supported the Hema Committee report and answered their questions to the best of my knowledge," he stated. Mohanlal pointed out that AMMA, which represents over 500 members of the film fraternity, is just one part of the larger Malayalam film community. "Everyone is answerable to the findings of the report, not just AMMA," he added.
Mohanlal also highlighted the need for the industry to work together in addressing the issues raised in the report. "AMMA is like a big family, and we started it for the welfare of the members of the film fraternity," he said. He noted that his decision to resign was made to encourage broader participation in discussions about the industry's future. "We felt it was the right move to resign and pave the way for everyone to take part in the discussions."
Expressing his concern about the industry's reputation, Mohanlal urged the media and the public not to focus solely on the negative aspects highlighted in the report. "This is an issue that can destroy the industry," he warned. "It took a lot of hard work and effort to build this industry. Please don't focus on this matter and ruin the image of the Malayalam film industry."
Acknowledging that AMMA has made mistakes, Mohanlal called for a comprehensive approach to reform. "AMMA has made mistakes and needs course correction," he admitted. He stressed the importance of protecting everyone in the industry and putting systems in place to prevent future issues.
Mohanlal also expressed his hope that the changes initiated in Kerala could serve as a model for other industries. "Let it be a great movement started in Kerala, and I hope this also spreads to other industries, not just in cinema," he stated.
Mohanlal called for unity and reconstruction within the Malayalam film industry, underscoring the need for collective action. "We need to reconstruct the Malayalam film industry," he said.