What Is AMMA? 30-Year-Legacy Of Mollywood Film Body Crumbles Against Growing #MeToo Voices

#MeToo In Mollywood: Amid sexual harassment allegations in the Malayalam film industry, the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) has taken onus, with its executive committee members including president Mohanlal tendering en masse resignations on "moral grounds". The film body said that a new committee will be formed after an election in two months. Let's take a look at the roles played AMMA in the functioning of the Malayalam film industry and what are the repercussions of it getting dissolved in the light of #MeToo allegations that are growing by the hour.

AMMA history: Foundation and its members

The almost three-decade-old state-run film body was founded in 1994 and registered under the Travancore Cochin Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies Act, AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes). It has a current membership of 498, including 253 men and 245 women and stands as a powerful collective in the Malayalam film industry. The organisation comprises 117 honorary members and 381 life members. It is headquartered in Kochi.

Why is AMMA an important part of the Malayalam film industry?

AMMA undertakes welfare initiatives like charitable housing projects, offers healthcare support, disaster relief, educational and financial aid and health initiatives to its members. One of its goals is also to empowering women.

In March 2022, AMMA hosted Arjava 2022, an event marking International Women's Day. This gathering focused on the POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) Act and provided a platform for discussions on women's issues in the industry.

What is AMMA electoral process and who are its appointed members?

An executive committee is elected for a period of three years. Mohanlal, who has resigned as the current president of AMMA after Hema Committee Report findings, has been a member of the organisation since its inception in 1994. For a period of three years, 17 executive committee members are appointed, including a president, two vice presidents, one secretary, a joint secretary and a treasurer. Other 11 members are a part of its executive committee.

AMMA members resign en masse  

As crisis deepened in the scandal-hit Malayalam film industry, AMMA governing body, including president Mohanlal, resigned. The Drishyam actor also wrote to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan informing him about the decision. After the release of the Hema Committee report, a section of AMMA members demanded that those facing sexual harassment allegations should resign from key positions.

Some of its committee members have also been mired in allegations of #MeToo including chairman Siddique, who resigned after he was accused of sexual abuse by Revathy, who claimed that she was physically and mentally abused at the hands of Siddique when she was 21.