Mammootty on the Hema Committee report: “There is no heavyweight in cinema”

A day after Mohanlal expressed his views on the Hema Committee report, another superstar of Malayalam cinema, Mammootty, made his comments.

After maintaining a stoic silence on the sensational report that has shaken the Malayalam industry to its core, the actor issued a detailed statement supporting the Hema Committee report and its shocking findings.

“I wholeheartedly welcome and support the recommendations and solutions made in the Hema Committee report. It is time for all film industry associations to work together and implement them. Police investigations into the complaints raised now are progressing (sic),” he wrote in a statement shared on Facebook.

Furthermore, the actor mentioned that there is “no power” in the industry and the court should decide on the punishment of the accused. For the unaware, the report mentions that it is a 15-member “mafia-like power group” that controls the Malayalam film industry.

“The full version of the Hema Judicial Committee report is before the court. Let the police investigate honestly. Let the court decide the punishments. There is no 'power' in cinema. Cinema is not the arena where such things can exist. The practical recommendations of the Hema Committee report must be implemented if there are legal hurdles. Ultimately, cinema must survive (sic).”

The report has shockingly exposed the dire situation of women in the industry. It has shown that the female actors, technicians and other women working in the industry have been harassed and sexually assaulted by their male colleagues.

Since the report came out, several members of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) have been accused of sexual harassment and misconduct by several women and actresses. Due to the mounting allegations, the association headed by actor Mohanlal was dissolved.

Concluding his statement, Mammootty said, “The organisation (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists) and its leadership should respond first. I believe that as a member, I should express my opinion only after their responses, that is why I have waited so long.”