Malayalam cinema megastar Mammootty has finally addressed the Justice Hema Committee report and the subsequent sexual misconduct allegations against several industry members, including those within the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA). In a detailed social media post, Mammootty explained that he had refrained from commenting earlier, as he was waiting for the official statement from AMMA to be released first.
“This post is in response to the current developments in the Malayalam film industry. The usual procedure is for the leadership to react first. I chose to wait because I believe it’s appropriate for me, as a member, to speak only after an official response,” he wrote.
Mammootty dismissed claims that a power group exists within the Malayalam cinema industry, stating, “Cinema is a reflection of society: all the good and bad in society are mirrored in movies. The film industry is closely watched by the public, so even small incidents can become major discussions. Film professionals need to be cautious and vigilant to ensure that nothing inappropriate occurs in this realm.”
Reflecting on the 2017 actress assault case, he noted, “The Justice Hema Committee was formed by the government after an unfortunate incident, with the goal of studying the film industry and offering solutions to prevent similar occurrences. We fully support the recommendations in that report. It’s crucial for all film industry associations to unite and implement these suggestions without discrimination.”
Mammootty concluded by emphasizing the importance of the ongoing legal process: “The police investigation is progressing rigorously in response to the complaints that have been raised. The full Justice Hema Committee report is now with the court. Let the police conduct an honest investigation, and let the court decide the appropriate punishments.”
Mammootty also dismissed claims made in the report that the Malayalam film industry is controlled by a power group. He stated, “There are no ‘power groups’ in cinema. The film industry is not a place where such a thing can exist. The practical recommendations mentioned in the report should be implemented, and if there are legal obstacles, necessary legislation should be enacted. Ultimately, cinema must survive,” he added.
