Amidst the ongoing #MeToo movement that has swept through the Malayalam film industry, megastar Mammootty has broken his silence, denying the existence of a ‘power group’ within Mollywood. His statement comes in the wake of the Justice Hema Committee report, which revealed widespread sexual, physical, and verbal abuse within the industry.
In a lengthy social media post, Mammootty stated that cinema is not a place where ‘power groups’ can exist. He emphasized the need to implement the report’s practical recommendations and called for necessary legislation to be enacted if there are legal hurdles. He stressed that ultimately, cinema must survive.
Mammootty’s statement echoes similar sentiments expressed by another leading actor, Mohanlal, who had previously declared that he was not part of any power group and was unaware of any such group.
Mammootty also recalled the 2017 actress assault case, which sparked outrage across Kerala and brought to light the discriminatory treatment faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. He highlighted the importance of filmmakers being cautious and careful to prevent such incidents from happening again.
He expressed his support for the Justice Hema Committee report and its recommendations, emphasizing the need for all associations within the film industry to work together to implement them. He also acknowledged the ongoing police investigation into the complaints that have been raised and urged for a fair and honest investigation by the police and for the court to determine punishments for those found guilty.
Mammootty’s statement marks a significant development in the #MeToo movement in Mollywood. His call for unity and accountability within the industry reflects the growing pressure on the industry to address the issues of sexual harassment and abuse that have been brought to light. The implementation of the Justice Hema Committee report’s recommendations and the ongoing police investigation hold the potential to usher in a new era of accountability and safety for women in the Malayalam film industry.
