ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

After Facing Flak, Actor Dileep to Keep Away From All Film Forums

Dileep’s stand came hours after WCC demanded an emergency executive meeting of AMMA to discuss the issue.

Published
India
3 min read
story-hero-img
i
Aa
Aa
Small
Aa
Medium
Aa
Large
Hindi Female

Amid a raging row over the decision of industry body Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) to take him back, actor Dileep, facing a sexual assault case, on Thursday, 28 June, said he would not be an active worker of any organisation till his innocence was proved.

Dileep's stand in a letter came hours after Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) demanded an emergency executive meeting of AMMA to discuss the issue and several state ministers attacked him and the film body.

After the February 2017 incident, Dileep had been removed from the association’s primary membership. But in a sudden move, AMMA reinstated his membership on 24 June, triggering widespread protests.

The actor was arrested on charges of conspiracy in the case related to the abduction and sexual assault of a south Indian actress in February 2017 and later released on bail.

ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

In his letter to AMMA General Secretary Edavela Babu, Dileep said he was saddened by the humiliation the association was being subjected to in his name. He claimed he was trapped in the case in which he had no role.

The letter read:

“I came to know through the media that in the general body meeting of AMMA convened on 24th of this month, the earlier decision of the available executive to expel me without giving me a notice or without hearing my explanation was revoked. I thank AMMA office-bearers and colleagues for this.

However, since I have been trapped in a case of which I have no part whatsoever, I do not want to actively participate in any organisation until I prove my innocence in front of Kerala’s viewers and people. I had indicated this in my earlier letter to FEOK. I feel sad hearing how AMMA, which is a solace for many actors in Malayalam cinema, is being insulted in my name. I conclude by giving my best wishes to AMMA’s new office-bearers.”

The actor also wished all success to new office- bearers of AMMA.

He actor expressed gratitude to AMMA for taking a decision in his favour at its previous general body meeting.

The actress, who was assaulted, had resigned on Wednesday from AMMA with three others too putting in their papers to express solidarity with her.

In a letter on Wednesday, prominent actors – Revathy, Parvathy and Padmapriya, who are members of WCC, demanded that AMMA convene a meeting immediately to examine the desirability of Dileep’s reinstatement.
0

"We are writing this letter to express our concern as women members of AMMA on the recent decision to bring back the expelled member (Dileep) in the general body meeting held on 24 June," they said.

"Considering the gravity of the circumstances and the matter being sub-judice, it is shocking that such an important matter was decided without listing it on the agenda or being discussed among all members prior to the meeting," they said in the letter posted on the WCC Facebook page.

They said AMMA had publicly pledged full support to the member who survived the assault but the decision to reinstate the expelled member, goes against the association's promise.

Political Backlash

State ministers, G Sudhakaran, J Mercykutty Amma and Kerala Women's Commission Chairperson M C Josephine too came out in support of the stand taken by the actors who resigned from AMMA.

ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

They also took exception to the supportive stand taken by the two LDF MLAs-K B Ganesh Kumar and Mukesh- and MP Innocent, all members of the association, on the matter.

In a scathing attack on AMMA, Josephine said the film body's "decision" to take back Dileep was "not right." Finance Minister Thomas Isaac said AMMA's decision showed the "misogynistic attitude" of the Malayalam film industry in its worst form.

Fisheries minister Mercykutty said those who have done wrong should be punished, however high they may be, and the government was always with the victim.

Lashing out at Dileep, PWD Minister G Sudhakaran said he was "arrogance personified" and alleged a lobby was controlling the Malayalam film industry.

ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

Senior Congress leader V M Sudheeran said AMMA's decision was akin to questioning the legal system.

"This is a very wrong decision and should be rectified as soon as possible by the office-bearers."

The actress, who was sexually assaulted in a moving car last year, had resigned from AMMA yesterday alleging that the organisation had not stood by her during the crisis.

The actress, who has worked in Tamil and Telugu films, was allegedly abducted and molested in her car for two hours by the accused, who had forced their way into the vehicle on the night of February 17, 2017 and later escaped in a busy area.

(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)

Read Latest News and Breaking News at The Quint, browse for more from news and india

Topics:  Malayalam Cinema   Dileep   Malayalam 

Speaking truth to power requires allies like you.
Become a Member
3 months
12 months
12 months
Check Member Benefits
Read More
×
×