KOCHI:
Reacting to the controversial decision of the Association of Malayalam Movie Actors (AMMA) to reinstate actor Dileep, Mohanlal, AMMA President, today said the decision in this regard was taken following a general body meeting of the organisation.
Dileep will be reinstated to AMMA if he is found not guilty, Mohanlal said here. Mohanlal, the new president of AMMA said that Dileep has already informed that he is not going to return to AMMA until his innocence is proved. The Malayalam superstar, in his first post-presidential press conference, said no one objected to reinstating Dileep, the prime accused in the assault case of a fellow actress, into the actors’ body.
“A member can only be dismissed after discussing the matter in our general body. When the topic came for discussion, no one voiced any disagreement, and many members even spoke in Dileep’s favour,” Mohanlal added. He further said, Dileep was removed from the organisation earlier following a difference of opinion among the members.
The actor also said that AMMA office bearers are ready to meet members of Women in Cinema Collective (WCC). “We have received their letter demanding a meeting with AMMA in connection with the resignation of four members. We are ready to mee them after the Executive committee meeting,” Mohanlal added.
Mohanlal added that though four members of WCC claimed to have quit from AMMA recently, he could find the resignation letters of only two — the survivor and Remya Nambeesan. The actor also denied the allegation levelled by the actress who escaped the assault that there have been deliberate moves to alienate her from the field by denying roles in upcoming movies.
“As far as I know, there are no such tendencies in the industry. If she has any such grievances, it needs to be first discussed within the association. I was an office bearer of AMMA at that time. She has not submitted any written complaint to AMMA saying that Dileep is denying her chances to act. Same goes for the issue of women’s representation in AMMA,” Lal said.
He also said that personally, he is with the survivor.
When asked about the complaints that AMMA made a mockery of WCC members through a skit presented at the stage show ‘Amma Mazhavillu’, Mohanlal said it was just black humour. “We have not done it purposefully. It was scripted by some of the women members of AMMA. We never had an intention to belittle WCC. It was just black humour,” reiterated Mohanlal.
The superstar apologised for calling off the press conference that was supposed to take place following AMMA’s last general body meet. He clarified that he was in England for a shoot and that is why it took him so long to address the media after taking charge.
The actor also confirmed that no executive meeting of the association happened today although the available members met and discussed over scheduling next meet. He confirmed that the next meeting is most likely to happen towards July end or early next month.
