Actresses reluctant to take up AMMA posts: Baburaj

The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) has been in the limelight over the past few weeks over its decision to bring back actor Dileep into its fold. Actor and AMMA executive member Baburaj revealed that he too had been suspended by the association earlier. However, the actor, who is one among the new members in the executive committee, appealed not to drag the actors’ association into unnecessary controversies.

In an interview to a TV channel, Baburaj talked about AMMA's successful ventures and confessed that the association has gone wrong in handling many issues. “Dileep was suspended at a meeting held at Mammootty’s house. All the associations ousted Dileep, and AMMA too swiftly followed suit without much discussions. But the decision wouldn’t stand as per the bylaws,” Baburaj made his stand clear.

“I too was suspended in 2004 in an issue related to the (late) actor Thilakan. A disciplinary committee was constituted and the person was asked to appear in front of it. If one fails to appear, then he/she will be suspended. I was suspended from the association in such a situation. But later my suspension was revoked and I got my membership reinstated. AMMA is not run based only on rules. It is more like a community,” remarked the actor.

Baburaj confirmed that AMMA has given Rs 5 lakh for treatment to actor Captain Raju who recently suffered a stroke. He added that the association does not look for publicity when it does such good deeds.

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He stated that AMMA may have gone wrong in handling many issues and added that the problems would be sorted out soon. “Not only the three actress who resigned from the association, but actors like Shammi Thilakan and Joy Mathew too would be invited for discussions. The fact that Innocent had led the organisation efficiently for such a long time is really incredible. Timely changes would take place in AMMA as well. Mohanlal spoke about it at the recent press meet,” Baburaj said.

He said that AMMA has always welcomed actresses to contest in the elections. He, however, added that most of them would back out when it comes to filling out forms and asking for votes. “Actor Unni Sivapal came forward to contest in the elections. However, the elders among us had the opinion that a contest should be avoided. Many senior stars including Madhu sir intervened to avoid an election. I had even asked for votes to half of the members by the time I came to know that there were no elections. Muthu Mani too had withdrawn from the election in a amicable way," Baburaj revealed.

Earlier, WCC member Padmapriya said in an interview that actress Parvathy was disallowed to contest in the recently conducted AMMA general body elections.Baburaj revealed that everyone at AMMA wanted to appoint Manju Warrier as the Vice President, but the actress refused to take up the post. “Many members of the executive committee would not usually attend the meetings. This time there was strict rules. It was made mandatory that all the elected members should attend all the meetings,” the actor said.

The actor confessed that he was surprised to learn that he too was included in the executive committee, despite being vocal about issues.

Artistes Indrans, Sudheer Karamana, Asif Ali, Jayasurya, Tini Tom, Aju Varghese, Rachana Narayankutty and Honey Rose are the other new members of the executive committee.