AMMA official criticises Aamir and Akshay's stand on #MeToo

As the tussle between the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) and the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) took a fresh turn in the actor assault case, an official from the film body said action must be taken against Bollywood actors Aamir Khan and Akshay Kumar for denying job opportunities just "because of sexual misconduct allegations". "We shouldn't follow what they did. Rather, there should be action against Akshay Kumar and Aamir Khan for denying job opportunities," said Siddique, who is also the secretary of AMMA. 

Akshay Kumar and Aamir Khan had dissociated themselves from films in the wake of sexual misconduct and harassment allegations against their colleagues. Aamir Khan announced his departure from an upcoming project while maintaining its anonymity, saying he has been informed of "sexual misconduct" on the part of the collaborator. Similarly, Akshay Kumar had said that the shooting of his upcoming film Housefull 4 would be canceled following sexual misconduct allegations against the film's director, Sajid Khan. 

"It's simply not done. It is in complete denial of the objectives of labour unions. Shouldn't human rights activists then step in? Nobody has the right to demand that we should not work with Dileep. No one has the right to ask others not to work with a person," he further said justifying AMMA's decision to not oust Dileep from the organisation. "The association has no responsibility or rights to ask a person not to associate with a person when it comes to work," Siddique said in response to a question comparing the difference in responses of AMMA and Bollywood on complaints of sexual harassment. Siddique's comment, seen as trivialising the #MeToo campaign allegations, has raised many eyebrows. 

At the same time, it is interesting to note that AMMA has now become the flag-bearer of labour rights when the association itself has a history of denying job opportunities to whoever opposed its style of functioning in the past. The cases of late veteran actor Thilakan and director Vinayan stands out. 

A Competition Commission report dated 24 March, 2017 gives enough insights into the informal ban on director Vinayan. "I got a call nearly two years back from Unnikrishnan and Sibi Malayil of FEFKA advising me to avoid working with Vinayan for the time being till the issue is resolved,” actor Jayasurya was quoted by the commission as saying in its report. Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA), in AMMA's own statement, is its sister organisation.

In addition, actor K. Surendran stated in the same report, "Although AMMA has not given any formal communication, but there is a tacit understanding among the members not to work with Vinayan.” Citing statements from actors Jayasurya and K. Surendran, the commission concluded that AMMA "did influence its members, producers and financers to not work with" Vinayan. 

Siddique also lashed out against the members of the WCC who had on Saturday exposed the double-faced stand of AMMA in the actor assault case. The WCC had accused AMMA of inaction in the actor's assault case. “The entire nation, across trade bodies and industries, is taking action and expelling the accused members in the #MeToo storm. On the other hand, AMMA is supporting the accused and interfering in the case. In the meeting with AMMA, all their discussions were against the survivor. We are hurt, feel disrespected and very angry,” actor Parvathy, one of the members of WCC, had said on Saturday.