Ever since AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes) decided to reinstate Dileep – main accused in the sexual assault of an actress in Kochi in February 2017 – members of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), who are spearheading the movement against AMMA, have been getting a lot of support. Though the national media has been largely silent on AMMA’s move to stand behind a person accused of rape, women outside the Malayalam film industry have spoken against the organisation’s patriarchal mindset.
Renowned Malayalam novelist KR Meera, in an interview with Scroll, said, “I consider the formation of the WCC as the revolution of the millennium towards an egalitarian society in Kerala. The stated objectives of WCC are, in fact, really the objectives of women working around the world…” She further added that the AMMA’s decision is reflective of the mindset of the middle class Kerala male. “By nature, Kerala men do not and cannot approve of survivors. They accept victims, provided they cover themselves in a white or black sari and sit in a dark corner weeping 24×7. It is unacceptable for a survivor to appear in public and be cheerful,” she added.
Last week, 178 women working in the film industry across the country, including Nandita Das, Renuka Shahane and Leena Manimekalai had issued a statement condemning AMMA’s decision.
“Even before the case has reached its conclusion, AMMA has chosen to validate a person accused of a very serious crime against a colleague. We condemn this cavalier attitude by artistes against women artistes who are working alongside them. There is misogyny and gender discrimination embedded in this action,” the statement said.
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The Kannada film industry too had come out in support of the survivor. Meanwhile, in response to the letter from the Kannada industry, AMMA said the decision to expel Dileep was hastily done, reported The News Minute. Edavela Babu, General Secretary of AMMA, reportedly replied to Kannada actor Chetan, stating, “Legal opinion thereafter was that the Executive Committee cannot unilaterally take such an action; moreover, as per the bye-laws even dismissal can be only after the member has been found guilty by a competent court in an offence. Presently Mr. Dileep is only an accused and not a convict.”