'No AMMA member objected to Dileep's reinstatement'

Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) president Mohanlal on Monday said the organisation had informally moved to reinstate actor Dileep — accused of conspiracy in a sexual assault case — because the earlier decision to expel him was not in line with the association rules.

When the matter was discussed at a general body meeting, on June 24, no member raised an objection to his reinstatement, Mohanlal told reporters in Kochi.

The AMMA president, however, added that since Dileep himself had later informed that he would not join the organisation until his innocence is proved, he would remain outside the association.

In AMMA’s first official response regarding its move to reinstate Dileep, eighth accused in a case of abduction and sexual assault of a woman actor, Mohanlal reiterated that the association backed the survivor but said he could not comment on the case pending trial.

“The decision to expel him after his arrest was taken at a meeting with available members. There was turmoil and people voiced different opinions. The association was facing a possible split and we decided to expel him. Later, we realised that we could not do that without discussing it in the executive committee and the general body,” Mohanlal said.

Responding to questions regarding four actors — including the assault survivor – leaving the AMMA following the reinstatement of Dileep, Mohanlal said the actors could have raised their objections at the meeting.

“We are an association with 484 members, almost half of them women. There’s no male dominance in this association,” Mohanlal said.

Open to talks

The AMMA president said the association would discuss issues raised by members of Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) against the backdrop of the actresses’ resignation. Mohanlal said he was open to changes in the association’s by-law and allocation of more official positions to woman members.

The AMMA has extended all possible assistance to the survivor, he said.

Mohanlal denied allegations that the survivor had, before the assault, complained to the AMMA that Dileep was using his influence to sabotage her career. “We have not received any written complaint,” he said.