Actor Parvathy on Mohanlal-led panel's mass resignation: How cowardly

Actor Parvathy Thiruvothu called the mass resignation of Mohanlal-led Association of Malayalam Movie Artists's (AMMA) executive committee a 'cowardly' act. The panel was dissolved after some members were accused of sexual misconduct, following the Hema Committee report.

In Short

• Parvathy criticised AMMA executive members' mass resignation
• She felt that it was a 'cowardly' act to not be answerable
• She claimed AMMA to be an 'authoritarian space where people cannot speak up for their rights'

Actor Parvathy Thiruvothu came down heavily on the mass resignation of Mohanlal-led executive panel of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) over the damning report of sexual harassment. She called it a 'cowardly act' and stated that there's an authoritarian rule in the film association. She also added that she happily resigned from the association as people are not allowed to speak up.

In an interview with Barkha Dutt's Mojo Story, Parvathy recalled her first reaction to the dissolution of the entire governing body. "The first thought I had when I heard the news about the collective resignation was - 'how cowardly'. How cowardly of them to step away from a position where they are now accountable to speak to media? Again, the onus falls on us, women, to take the conversation and the debates forward," said Parvathy.

"It would have been amazing if they had atleast shown the intention of working with the government and stakeholders to figure a way out. This is the same executive committee that welcomed the prime accused [Dileep] of the sexual assault case back to the fold when the case was still going on. This is the executive committee that claimed none of these things actually exist at all until the allegations against them came out," she explained as she criticised the association.

Parvathy also blamed the government for being careless. She remarked, "The government was also careless to make statements like, 'If women have complaints, they should just file an FIR and come up with the names.' The entire onus is put on women to name and shame and take the brunt of it after that. My question is what is the proof of justice that you have to show for you to demand that we have to name and shame. After that, what happens to us in our career, life, legal fees and mental health issues - no one gives a damn about that."

The 'Thangalaan' actor feels that the onus is always put on women for problems that are not caused by them. "When are the men going to call themselves out? Call each other out in front of their community? Clearly, they are part of the problem. They're the problem. I have such deep respect for women who are coming out and the collective [Women in Cinema Collective] stands by them. But, it is unnecessary that they were pushed to do this when the Hema Committee report should have been implemented way back. Already, justice is delayed," she added.

"And when the report comes out, you are keying them. We've done everything by the book, being an ally, trying to support the government, and we are still forced to take the vigilante route," stated Parvathy.

The actor also claimed that she wasn't surprised at the mass resignation decision. "Frankly, I'm not surprised. I was a part of AMMA before, and I've seen how they function. There's a reason why I happily resigned from the association. There's no one they can fool with this kind of behaviour. Forget actually articulating something in support, the first choice of action is to cover it and then start maligning the women who are coming forward. The society is seeing them for who they are," she remarked.

Parvathy also exposed how AMMA has a fear-induced setup where people cannot speak up for their rights. Explaining further, she said, "AMMA has a massive membership and I think it will benefit them to have better leadership at this point in time. Maybe this disruption will do well for the association. For that matter, I am with the AMMA members, who deserve better for all the membership fee they gave. It's a fear-induced atmosphere, and you cannot speak up for your rights. It was an authoritarian space, for sure."

On August 27, Mohanlal-led top governing body of AMMA resigned days after the Hema Committee report was made public. The report blew the lid off rampant sexual harassment, casting couch practices, lobbying, pay disparities and systemic issues.

After the explosive report, many women came out with their stories and the executive members - Siddique, Baburaj and Jeyan - were accused of sexual misconduct.