Lawyer mocks movie stars over AMMA row

Kochi: A Kerala lawyer known for her stringent observations on current developments have mocked the media and top Malayalam movie stars, including superstar and AMMA president Mohanlal, by ridiculing their apparent pretense over a few unsavoury developments in the film industry. The Malayalam film fraternity has been divided over the recent bid to re-induct actor Dileep into the association.

Sangeetha Lakshmanan in her Facebook note made fun of actors Mohanlal, Dileep and Prithviraj, and lambasted mediapersons apparently for their undue attention to the going-on in an association of Malayalam film artistes. The positions that AMMA took on the actress assault case, the arrest of Dileep and the submission of its charge-sheet and the public statements that AMMA made have only stunned me, she noted.

"Prithviraj acts like a buffoon, seeking applause dancing around as the house is on fire," she writes. On Dileep's decision to stay off AMMA after a row erupted on his re-induction, she posts, "Dileep decided on his own to stay away. That's another comedy!!'

She adds: "All sorts of fools and cobblers, people from beautician to engineer, hotel owner, teacher, cook, driver, watcher, doctor, bank worker and bunk worker, tailor, nurse and cameraman, lift operator, officer, leader, fisherman, milkman, businessman.... have a comment on the issue. Why then should a lawyer shy away. Here's my opinion: "It was unwarranted. Isn't there anyone in AMMA with brain and a level head? Why do they expose themselves to ridicule?

Touching upon Mohanlal's press meet on Monday where he apologised for excluding the prying media from the recent AMMA meet, Sangeetha sarcastically remarked: "What was that apology for Lal? That regret? Why do you surrender the entire rights of all artistes in front of people who buy a ticket to the movies? What does the public have to bother about personal freedom, organisational rights, freedom expression etc. of an artiste? Why do you have to feel it was wrong to have kept the media away from your general body meeting? What has the public got to do when the members of AMMA sit down to discuss their issues and plan their future. You wear badges because entry is only for members. If you had allowed the media earlier, you need to correct it. That beautiful practice should be eliminated with a clause in your bylaw. The executive committee should be tasked with issuing a press note to inform the public on decisions taken at the general body. You can also upload it on social media." 

"The actress complains that Dileep blocked her chances. Which means she already had enmity towards him. She has also alleged that he not only destroyed her flourishing career, but also funded an assault against her. Why can't AMMA take a stand that they are not with either of them until your arguments are decided in court. Look at the mirror and slap yourself on the cheek Mohanlal, for answering a question from a mediaperson with zero intellect who asked you what's the difference in Dileep's status now. Why is it that you failed to point out that while Dileep has been granted bail the other main accused are still in jail. Why does Dileep stay away like a fool? What prevents him from saying openly that the drama that the young actress and her friends are staging is intended to influence witnesses. Why can't AMMA say that Dileep, his ex-wife, wife and the young actress are AMMA members and that they love all equally, but can't decide who is right."

"A day after Dileep was arrested Prithviraj staged a comedy show at the gathering at Mammootty's house. What an idiotic buffoon he is!! Will nonsense become sense just because you speak in English? Can you expel a member just like that from AMMA? What does the organization's by-law say? The AMMA general body should discuss these and inform the public through the social media releasing a press release. If the friends of the attacked actress can believe everything she says, the friends of Dileep in the organization have the right to believe what he says too. It doesn't need an LLB to understand this much", she concludes.