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| Founded | 1994 |
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| Headquarters | Kochi, Kerala |
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| Website | ammakerala |
The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, abbreviated as AMMA, is an Indian organization of film actors and actresses working in the Malayalam cinema, formed in 1994.
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| Founded | 1994 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Kochi, Kerala |
| Location | |
| Website | ammakerala |
The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, abbreviated as AMMA, is an Indian organization of film actors and actresses working in the Malayalam cinema, formed in 1994.
The governing body serves for three years. It includes a President, two Vice-presidents, General Secretary, Joint Secretary, Treasurer and other Executive Committee members. Only members with life membership status can become a member of the governing body. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
In August 2024, the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) found itself at the center of a storm when the long-awaited Justice Hema Committee report [11] was finally released to the public, following a Kerala High Court order. This report, which had been kept under wraps since its completion in 2019, shed light on the severe challenges and discrimination faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. The committee, formed in 2017 in the aftermath of the shocking abduction and sexual assault of a prominent actress, was tasked with investigating the working conditions of women in the industry.
The report's findings were deeply troubling, revealing a male-dominated industry where misogyny is not only pervasive but institutionalized. The committee's investigation uncovered the existence of a powerful "mafia" within the industry, comprising a small group of influential male actors, directors, and producers who effectively control the industry's operations. This group was found to have significant control over AMMA, the leading industry organization, dictating its decisions and suppressing any attempts to challenge their authority.
Women in the industry, especially actresses, were found to be particularly vulnerable. The report documented numerous instances of sexual harassment, coercion, and exploitation. For example, actresses testified about being forced to repeatedly perform intimate scenes under duress and facing threats when they resisted. The casting couch was reported to be rampant, with new and aspiring actresses often pressured into compromising situations in exchange for roles. The report also highlighted that women producers and those in smaller roles were frequently at the mercy of the male-dominated power structure, facing discrimination and even being denied basic amenities like quality food on set unless they complied with demands.
The Justice Hema Committee also pointed out the ineffectiveness of the Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) on film sets, which are supposed to address issues of sexual harassment. These committees were found to be largely symbolic, with little real power or will to protect the interests of women. As a result, many women were left without recourse, forced to endure mistreatment or risk being blacklisted from the industry (Telangana Today).
Despite the damning nature of the report, its release was delayed by the Kerala government for several years, leading to widespread criticism. When it was finally made public, key details, including the names of those accused, were redacted, which many saw as an attempt to protect influential figures in the industry. This has led to calls for greater transparency and accountability, with some demanding a judicial inquiry into the allegations and the implementation of the report's recommendations.
The recommendations of the Justice Hema Committee include the establishment of a tribunal with judicial powers to address issues of sexual harassment and contract breaches, mandatory written contracts for all workers in the industry, and gender sensitivity training for those in leadership roles. The committee also emphasized the need for greater representation of women in decision-making roles within AMMA and the industry at large.
As the industry grapples with the fallout from the report, there is growing pressure on AMMA and the Kerala government to take concrete steps to address these issues. The revelations have sparked widespread outrage, not just within the film community but also among the general public, leading to renewed debates about the need for systemic reforms in the Malayalam film industry.
Following the publication of the report, an audio clip of a junior actress naming the late veteran comedian Mamukkoya, the once popular actors Sudheesh, Idavela Babu and Saju Kodiyan as actors who solicited sex from her while she was a struggling director, surfaced in the media.
The first response from AMMA came as a press meet on 25th August, with General Secretary Siddique, and executive members Jayan Cherthala, Jomol, and Ananya downplaying the allegations as isolated incidents.
Shortly after that an actress who had earlier in 2019, accused Siddique of raping her, quickly slammed his pretentious statement to the press. The actress claimed that Siddique had called her to discuss a film but then raped her from the hotel room. As she narrated in gruesome detail how the popular actor had described his fetish over long fingers like hers, fantasized verbally about "licking her if not allowed to penetrate", even suggestively eating food in front of her, shocking the Malayali audience, Siddique was forced to resign from his position of General Secretary of AMMA overnight. [12]
Following the flurry of revelations and accusations that seemed to spare no one, acclaimed actor Mohanlal resigned as the president of AMMA, along with all the members of the executive committee, submitting a joint resignation on 27 August. The committee appears to have been dissolved, though a couple of women members later stated that they have not submitted their resignation. A new committee is expected to be formed after an election within two months, until which time the current committee shall serve as caretakers. [6] [13]
When Dileep was released on bail, his membership was reinstated by AMMA, claiming his removal was not legally valid as per the laws of the committee. The claim was primarily made by K. B. Ganesh Kumar.
Protesting the lukewarm approach in expelling Dileep, few actresses protested and resigned from AMMA membership. They formed a group named Women in Cinema Collective (WCC). WCC protested through a series of social media interventions that AMMA should take a favorable stand towards the welfare of the female actors in Malayalam cinema. In light of these events, AMMA General body meeting conducted in 2021 revised its bylaws; including more women in the executive body; and established an internal complaints committee for the welfare of women.
Palappurathu Keshavan Surendranatha Thilakan was an Indian film and stage actor who appeared in over 200 Malayalam films. Thilakan was known for his elaborate method acting, realistic and spontaneous appearances and is considered to be one of the greatest actors in Indian Cinema.
Kilukkam (transl. Jingle) is a 1991 Indian Malayalam-language comedy drama film directed by Priyadarshan and written by Venu Nagavalli. The story set in Ooty revolves around tourist guide Joji (Mohanlal) and photographer Nishchal. They happen to meet a lavish tourist Nandini (Revathi), whom they bet their fortunes on. It also stars Thilakan, Innocent, K. B. Ganesh Kumar, Sukumari, and Sharat Saxena, with Murali and Jagadish making cameo appearances. The music was composed by S. P. Venkatesh. Kilukkam was released on 15 August 1991. The film was the highest-grossing Malayalam film at that time and ran for more than 365-days at the theaters. Kilukkam won five Kerala State Film Awards, including Best Actor for Mohanlal, Second Best Actor for Jagathy Sreekumar, Best Editor for N. Gopalakrishnan, and Best Cinematographer for S. Kumar. The film is regarded as one of the best comedy films of Malayalam cinema. It was remade in Telugu as Allari Pilla and in Hindi as Muskurahat by Priyadarshan himself. Later, the film had a sequel Kilukkam Kilukilukkam (2006). The movie was reported to have been inspired by the 1953 American movie Roman Holiday.
Mukesh Madhavan, known mononymously as Mukesh, is an Indian actor, film producer, television presenter, and politician who predominantly works in Malayalam cinema besides also having sporadically appeared in Tamil-language films. In a film career spanning four decades, he has acted in over 275 Malayalam films.
Sukumari Amma was an Indian actress best known for her works in Malayalam and Tamil films. In a career spanning more than five decades, She has appeared in more than 2500 films predominantly in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, along with few Hindi and one each in Sinhala, French, Bengali, Tulu, English and Kannada films. Sukumari began acting at the age of 10. In 2003, she was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India for her contributions toward the arts. She won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Tamil film Namma Gramam (2010). Sukumari died on 26 March 2013 in Chennai, following a heart attack.
Sai Kumar, also credited as Saikumar, is an Indian actor who appears in Malayalam films. He is the son of Malayalam actor late Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair. He appears in both positive and negative roles. He notably plays the hero role in Ramji Rao Speaking, and the villain in Makkal Mahatmyam.
Siddique Mamathu (born 1 October 1962), known mononymously as Siddique, is an Indian actor and producer, who works mainly in Malayalam cinema. Along with appearing in over 350 Malayalam films, he has also acted in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi language films. He is known for having played a wide range of starring and supporting roles, including comic characters, romantic leads, anti-heroes and villains.
Twenty:20 is a 2008 Indian Malayalam-language action thriller film written by Udayakrishna-Siby K. Thomas, directed by Joshiy, produced and distributed by Dileep through Graand Production and Manjunatha Release. The film stars Mohanlal, Mammootty, Suresh Gopi, Jayaram and Dileep. The film was produced on behalf of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) as a fundraiser to financially support actors who are struggling in the Malayalam cinema. All the actors in AMMA worked without payment in order to raise funds for their welfare schemes.
Kalpana Ranjani, better known mononymously as Kalpana, was an Indian actress who appeared in South Indian films, predominantly in Malayalam and Tamil. Kalpana has acted in over 300 films in various South Indian languages. She won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Thanichalla Njan (2012) at the 60th National Film Awards. Kalpana started her career as a child artist in the late 1970s. Although she came into the industry with the intention of being a lead actress, she turned out to be popular among the audiences for her comic roles.
Madampi is a 2008 Indian Malayalam-language family drama film written and directed by B. Unnikrishnan. It stars Mohanlal, Ajmal Ameer, Siddique, Kavya Madhavan, and Mallika Kapoor. The film was released on 4 July 2008.
Gopalakrishnan Padmanabhan, better known by his stage name Dileep, is an Indian actor, producer, and businessman who predominantly works in the Malayalam film industry. He has acted in Tamil, Hindi, and Kannada films. He has won several awards, including Kerala State Film Awards and one Filmfare Awards South.
Christian Brothers is a 2011 Indian Malayalam language action thriller film directed by Joshiy and written by Udayakrishna and Siby K. Thomas. The film stars Mohanlal, Suresh Gopi, Dileep and R. Sarathkumar in titlular roles with an ensemble supporting cast. The film features musical score composed by Rajamani and songs by Deepak Dev.
Ividam Swargamanu is a 2009 Indian Malayalam-language family drama thriller film directed by Rosshan Andrrews and written by James Albert. It was produced by Antony Perumbavoor under the company Aashirvad Cinemas. The film stars Mohanlal, Lalu Alex, Thilakan, Sreenivasan, Shankar and Lakshmi Rai. The music was composed by Gopi Sunder. It tells the story of Mathews, a farmer who has to fight the real estate mafia over selling his farmland which he refuses to give away.
Ammanath Babu Chandran, better known by his stage name Edavela Babu, is an Indian actor who appears in the Malayalam cinema. He made his acting debut in 1982 with Idavela, from which he got his stage name. Since then, he has worked in over 200 films. Babu has served as General Secretary of Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). Currently, he is a part of the Indian National Congress political party.
Suchitra Murali, commonly known by her stage name Suchitra, is an Indian actress. Debuting in the lead role with the 1990 film No.20 Madras Mail at the age of 14, she has appeared mostly in Malayalam films as well as a few films in Tamil.
Shammi Thilakan is an Indian actor and dubbing artist who is active in Malayalam films. He is the son of veteran actor Thilakan. He lent his voice for Napoleon in Devasuram, Prem Nazir in Kadathanadan Ambadi and for Nassar in Ghazal, for which he won a state award for best dubbing artist. He has acted in villain, comic and character roles.
Vijay Babu is an Indian film producer, actor, and businessman, who works in the Malayalam film industry. He is the founder of the film production company Friday Film House.
Kasaba is a 2016 Indian Malayalam-language action thriller film written and directed by Nithin Renji Panicker, starring Mammootty, Sampath Raj, Neha Saxena, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar and Jagadish played the important supporting roles. The first day gross was the highest for a Malayalam film. The film ended up grossing ₹14.37 crore (US$1.7 million).
Women in Cinema Collective, abbreviated as WCC, is an organisation for women working in the Malayalam cinema industry.
Events in the year 2024 in Kerala.
Hema Committee was an advisory committee formed by the Government of Kerala in July 2017, to investigate the issues related to sexual violence and gender inequality, in the Malayalam cinema industry and to submit solutions to them. It was a three-member committee chaired by former Kerala High Court judge Justice Hema. Film actress Sharada and former IAS officer KB Vatsalakumari, were other members of the committee. The committee was formed when the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), an organization formed after the incident of a young actress; who was assaulted in the year 2017 in Kochi, complained to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
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