Mohanlal Speaks Out on the Hema Committee Report: “Don’t Destroy Malayalam Cinema”
The controversy stirred by the Hema Committee report finally broke the silence of one of the most respected figures of Malayalam cinema, veteran actor Mohanlal. Superstar Mohanlal has finally spoken to the media on Saturday, August 31, about the controversial report and expressed serious concerns that it could cause damage to the Malayalam film industry. His statements get the discussion going because he is highly influential and has been a part of the industry for a very long time.
Background: Hema Committee Report
It was constituted to probe allegations of sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry. Its recent findings have brought into light many serious issues, including what is claimed to be an all-powerful group running the industry. These revelations have started a big debate and demand action to clean up the systemic ills plaguing the industry.
Contradicting the report on the existence of a power group that runs the show, Mohanlal, who until recently was president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, said he was not aware of such a group. “All I can speak with some conviction about is my personal experience in the Malayalam film industry,” he added.
Emotional Appeal by Mohanlal
Making his first public appearance since the report came out, Mohanlal emotionally appealed to save the Malayalam cinema from its destruction. “Please don’t focus on the report alone and destroy the cinema,” he urged, referring to the hard work and dedication which went into building the industry over the years.
Mohanlal recalled the long journey he has had in Malayalam cinema, from the days when the industry had little by way of facilities. Though small, Malayalam cinema, he said, has grown to achieve great heights and received both national and international recognition. He warned that if the focus remains on the negative aspects highlighted in the report, the industry could be badly hurt.
Criticism for Keeping Silent
Though he has been on target for staying silent all these days on the Hema Committee report, more than many in the industry felt that Mohanlal as a well-known and dependable should have come out more strongly against the report. Of late, whatever little criticism was also targeted for having maintained a safe distance from the media all these days. Explains the superstar, “This was not a deliberate attempt to keep away from the media; rather, I had kept myself away due to personal and professional commitments in the last one week.”.
He also clarified that he cooperated with the Hema Committee by providing his testimony regarding the prevailing practices in his own films. He, however, made it clear that he could not generalize on the entire industry having direct knowledge only about his own experiences.
Role of AMMA and Resignation
Besides, Mohanlal has also gone on record about the organisational role of AMMA in the current situation. The organisation, which was a welfare association for the members of the Malayalam film fraternity, is at fault for having done nothing on the issues raised by the Hema Committee report. Mohanlal said AMMA is not a trade union, and none should expect it to do the duty of a trade union.
He then said that once the report came out, the leadership in AMMA decided to resign from their posts. He said this was decided unanimously over a Google Meet call, with everybody’s yes recorded as part of the meeting’s minutes. He further clarified that by resigning, the work of the AMMA didn’t stop; neither did it constitute defeat or some form of escapism on their part.
A Call for Industry Unity
He has been constantly reiterating in his address that the Malayalam film fraternity should be united at this juncture. This is a very significant juncture in the life of Malayalam cinema, and South Indian films are getting more prominence in India and abroad. Mohanlal appealed for the media and public to stand by the industry rather than highlighting only the negative points of the report.
Mohanlal too had shown apprehension that the report might blur the goodwill Malayalam cinema gained in the past few years. He called upon everyone to come together and work on these prevailing issues so that the industry remains strong.
Conclusion:
It was a much-required reminder of the thin line to be tread between addressing serious issues and preserving, without harming, the integrity of Malayalam cinema. The findings of the Hema Committee report are no doubt important and need to be addressed, yet Mohanlal is pleading for a measured approach that is not destructive of an industry which has brought joy and pride to so many.
His call to unity and caution reflects the deep commitment to Malayalam cinema from an industry he has been part of for almost five decades. The discussions around the report, no doubt, will also be preoccupied with the sentiments Mohanlal has shared, as many in the film fraternity share his concern about the future of Malayalam cinema.
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