Kochi: Actress Rima Kallingal, a member of the Women in Cinema Collective, has furiously dismissed the demand for apology raised by a few members of the the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). She made the comments in this regard in an interview to a news portal.
“I can say ‘go to hell’ to AMMA," Rima fumed as her response was sought on the demand made by AMMA secretary Siddique and veteran actress KPAC Lalitha on Monday.
Rima also expressed her sympathy for Lalitha by contending that the veteran actress has no option but to stay put in the association while a group of women could stand up and leave.
"I feel bad that she (KPAC Lalitha) could not experience, for once, the beauty of being able to cross that huge moral ethical ground and look back with content,” Rima remarked.
Responding to Siddique's comment at Monday's press meet that he has never felt the need to have internal committees (which act as watchdogs) in any of the film sets he has been part of, Rima said that they (AMMA members) might not be brave enough to face such panels.
Favour to an accused
Rima also stated that she doesn't want to be a part of an association that protects the accused in an assault case. “They have made it very clear that they stand with the accused,” she added, referring to the 2017 actress attack case in which popular star Dileep is an accused.
She urged AMMA leadership to at least keep the accused out of the association until he is proven not guilty. AMMA has failed to safeguard the victim and stood with the accused, Rima alleged.
When women's issues are being addressed and survivors are being supported in all the other industries nationally and internationally, artists in Malayalam cinema are worried about how to protect the accused, Rima continued her tirade.
Rima doubted whether AMMA members are in the association believing that it will look after their welfare and stand with them when there face a problem. "They should now stand up and ask, ‘Is this how you are going to take care of our affairs?'", she urged.
Women used as 'props'
Rima alleged that AMMA uses women as mere properties in its annual talent fest which glorifies only men. She asked where the talented female artistes of the yester-era has vanished to. While not forgetting to laud AMMA's compassionate attitude towards senior actors in distress, Rima raised a concern about the welfare of the artistes who are young and active in the industry.
“It is true that AMMA reaches out to senior and ailing actors. That is good. But how are they protecting the rights of actors who are active in the industry now?” She asked.
