The implosion of AMMA, the Malayalam actors' body that was once so powerful to shadow-ban even some big names

Veteran actor Mohanlal on Tuesday stepped down as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), alongside other members of its executive committee, following the fallout from the Hema Committee Report that looked into sexual abuse allegations in the industry.

CREDIT: AMMA

AMMA, in a statement, said that the current administrative panel has resigned, taking moral responsibility for the allegations levelled against some of its members, including actor Siddique, who until recently was the general secretary of the actors' body.

Also read: MeToo rocks Malayalam movie industry as more skeletons tumble out of closet after Hema Committee report

AMMA, from actors body to lobby

The downfall of AMMA comes thirty years after the organisation was founded in 1994 with the aim of providing support to struggling actors, among others.

CREDIT: AMMA

However, over the years, AMMA, with its clout, went on to become a powerful lobby that was so influential it could shadow-ban people from working in films.

When AMMA was accused of being a Mafia

In 2010, the late Malayalam actor Thilakan had called AMMA a mafia group after he was shadow-banned. According to him, actors like Captain Raju, Mala Aravindan, and Indrans were facing similar undeclared bans.

Thilakan had hinted that there was a power group in Malayalam cinema, which fourteen years later, the Hema Committee reiterated in its report.

Power group controlling Malayalam cinema: Hema Committee

The Hema Committee, in its report, claimed that the Malayalam film industry is controlled by a 15-member power group of male producers, directors, and actors who ¡°dominate other persons working in cinema."

CREDIT: BCCL

Prithviraj Sukumaran on power group

Interestingly, one of the few big names who touched on the issue of a power group in Malayalam films after the Hema Committee report was released was actor Prithviraj Sukumaran.

Prithviraj himself had faced a shadow-ban after he acted in a film directed by Vinayan.

"If anyone in Malayalam cinema has been affected by such a group, their grievances must be heard. If such a body exists, it should be dismantled," Prithviraj said, while maintaining that he was unaware if such a group exists.

CREDIT: BCCL

Actress Parvathy Thiruvothu is another high-profile name who has also been shadow-banned by AMMA.

How AMMA responded to actress sexual assault case

AMMA's role had also come under scrutiny following the 2017 Malayalam actress sexual assault case, which was allegedly carried out at the behest of actor Dileep.

CREDIT: BCCL

Actor Mohanlal had then courted controversy by claiming that, while he stood with the victim, he was also praying for Dileep. AMMA was also accused of not taking action against Dileep even after the allegations against him surfaced.

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