For the first time, a woman has been elected president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), breaking the male dominance that has defined the organization since its inception in 1994. This historic shift, with an actress taking the helm, follows the Justice Hema Commission report, which laid bare systemic sexual harassment, gender inequality, and casting couch practices in the Malayalam film industry (Mollywood).
In a landmark moment for the Malayalam film industry, Shwetha Menon, the newly elected president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), has addressed the high-profile actress assault case for the first time. She also urged the survivor to return to AMMA.
Shwetha Menon’s Take On Actress Assault Case
In her first public statement on the high-profile actress assault case involving actor Dileep, Shwetha Menon, described the case as “very serious” and expressed her keen anticipation for the court’s verdict. Speaking to Asianet News, Menon emphasised the gravity of the case, stating, “The actress assault case is a very serious matter, and I am eagerly awaiting the court’s decision to uncover the truth.” She also extended a heartfelt appeal to the survivor, urging her to return to AMMA, saying, “The survivor should come back to AMMA. We are all with her, Everyone is with her. Others should also return. Most issues can be resolved through dialogue.”
Malayalam Actress Abducted, Sexually Assaulted By Prominent Actor
In February 2017, a prominent Malayalam film actress came openly alleging that she was abducted and sexually assaulted in a moving van while she was coming after a film shoot. Later, Kerala’s most popular actor Dileep was arrested in the case, which is still on. This incident galvanised the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), founded by actresses like Parvathy Thiruvothu and Rima Kallingal, to demand a government probe into gender issues in Malayalam cinema, setting the stage for systemic change.
The Justice Hema Committee was established to investigate the challenges faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. The retired Justice K. Hema, with actress Sharada and retired IAS officer K.B. Valsala Kumar, submitted its report to the Kerala government on December 31, 2019.
However, the report—believed to contain big names from the Malayalam film industry accused of sexual harassment—was shelved by the government. The report was based on 35 cases registered by Justice Hema, in which victims came forward with allegations against some of the industry’s most prominent stars. Their 233-page report, submitted in 2019, exposes a “power group” of 15 male industry leaders, casting couch practices, and rampant harassment, laying a critical foundation for accountability.
Current Status Of The Case
On February 17, 2017, a prominent actress was attacked while traveling from Thrissur to Kochi, sending shockwaves through the Malayalam film industry. Police swiftly arrested the primary accused, but later allegations implicated actor Dileep, who was arrested months later and spent three months in jail before being granted bail. The case polarized the industry, dividing film stars into factions supporting either the actress or Dileep. A detailed police charge sheet followed, and subsequent revelations by director Balachandra Kumar triggered further investigation. Despite eight years passing, the case remains unresolved, delayed by repeated petitions filed by Dileep (the eighth accused) and Pulsar Suni (the first accused) in the Supreme Court and High Court. The Supreme Court urged a swift resolution, and the trial is now in its final stages, with a verdict expected soon. All accused are currently out on bail.
