Kochi: The secretary of Association for Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), Siddique, on Monday slammed the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) for raising a volley of charges against the body for reinstating actor Dileep, accused in the actress attack case.
Siddique on Monday confirmed that Dileep had submitted his resignation letter to AMMA president Mohanlal on October 10.
"The association had also decided to remove him. However, it was the general body of AMMA that decided against taking action," he explained. However, Siddique did not confirm whether AMMA had accepted his resignation. The next general body meeting will be held in June.
The WCC had on Saturday slammed AMMA for allegedly showing 'bias' against the young actress who was abducted and molested in a moving car in Kochi last year. In an emotionally charged press meet in Kochi, the WCC leaders said that instead of support, the leadership of the AMMA had been indulging in 'victim shaming' and publicly 'mocking' at women who had chosen to speak about the matter.
Frivolous charges?
The WCC also alleged that though AMMA is the lone such body in the Malayalam film industry, it was acting against the interests of women and was not a 'safe place' to discuss their issues. They also chided the AMMA president for refering to them as 'actresses' instead of taking their names.
Reacting to the WCC's allegations, Siddique said that AMMA was the association of actors and actresses and there was nothing wrong in the reference. 'Such statements are frivolous,' he added.
He also threatened action against those who raised 'unnecessary' allegations against AMMA. "Members who acted against the interests of the AMMA and president Mohanlal will also face flak," Siddique said while pointing out that WCC members were financially well-off.
The veteran actor also said that the #MeToo campaign was good as safety was of paramount importance. "However, its wrong to misuse it. The allegations raised by actress Revathi amount to defamation,” he added.
Senior south Indian actress and WCC leader Revathi told reporters that AMMA was continuing its 'apathetic' stand to the survivor at a time when the nation and its film industry were extending support to women in the #Me Too campaign and distancing preparators.
The WCC members have been on the warpath since the actors' body had decided to reinstate Dileep, who was arrested on charges of conspiracy in the actress assault case and later released on bail.
Four actresses, including the victim, had resigned from AMMA after Dileep's reinstatement.
Siddique on Monday said that those who have resigned would not be taken back. "If they were to apologise for their actions and submit an application, we will consider it."