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Last Updated: June 30, 2018 03:28:28
Several key members of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) ), formed last year following the case of kidnapping and attempted rape involving the actor Dileep, resigned Wednesday from the Association of Malayalam Cinema Artists (AMMA) The badociation's decision to reinstate Dileep A veteran actor and filmmaker and member of the WCC, Revathy, explains to The Indian Express why the question is only part of the larger problems that the film industry malayalam has to face. Excerpts:
How does the Women in Cinema Collective deal with the current crisis in the Malayalam film industry?
When the news of Dileep's reinstatement in AMMA came, we all said it was not right. The badaulted actress is also a member of AMMA, so what kind of respect do you show her, or what message do you send? What kind of example do you establish when you have both the actress badaulted and the accused as members? How can you take it back when the case is still in court? We decided to question that. Some of us felt that we had to resign and some thought we should stay and question that.
Eventually, four of us quit and people like Padmapriya, Parvathy and I decided to write to AMMA. We wrote Thursday morning and the same evening, Dileep himself wrote a letter saying that as long as he will not be innocent, he will not be part of any badociation.
Has AMMA already responded to your letter? No, they have not answered yet. We are waiting. We have requested a special meeting of the executive committee where we can question this decision
Did AMMA's decision to reinstate Dileep surprise you?
Of course, this was the case
stated that some members boycotted the general body meeting because they knew in advance that Dileep's question would be raised.
There was certainly no boycott. The question of Dileep was not on the agenda. The agenda is shared 21 days before the meeting and it was not mentioned there
Actress -The Revathi director said, "Dileep himself wrote a letter stating that until he is proven innocent, he will not be part of any of them." no badociation. "
This is not just about Dileep, though. He points to a bigger problem in the industry …
Exactly. There is an badault and a person is charged, the case is still before the courts. How can you make a decision? What is the message you send to the company? Whether it's OK if you are charged with badault and that your case is still before the courts, and you can still be part of society and badociation, and that a group of over 100 members is ready to forgive and take you back? That's what we want to ask. How do women feel safe? What is the point of being a member of an badociation where you do not give that kind of security?
Many have raised Thilakan's suspension for questioning the AMMA's operation, while Dileep has been reinstated despite numerous accusations. . Is there any case where the actor with the greatest star power is treated with more deference?
That's exactly what we want to question. The thing is AMMA has done a lot of good for artists, taking care of those who do not have jobs or are retired. So, how can you make that decision after all this? We can not even understand that decision. What is the point of this badociation if only those who have power are important? And also, society is going through a phase where there are a lot of crimes against women. When this case is ongoing, it is important for celebrities and badociations like AMMA to set a good example. This is not just about our industry. It is about our society
When the WCC was formed last year, did you have the impression that most people would support the accused?
We had no idea of this kind. At that time, we had no idea who the culprits were. We helped her (victim) because she had the courage to go out, report to the police and talk to the media about what had happened to her. Most of us would be quiet and forget, thinking that we do not want our families or ourselves to go through hell. We decided that since she spoke, we should seek justice for her and see the end of this case. This is why the WCC has come together.
A sketch made at the AMMA meeting allegedly took pot luck at the WCC. Do you feel hostility to what the WCC does?
Absolutely. Basically, Kerala society is patriarchal and any woman who speaks her mind is despised. We have just decided that we must shake hands. With all the reports, all of us are drowning in depression, but we hold our heads high because we remain united and say no, we will not let anything stop the movement.
on the WCC agenda
Our plan was to begin a dialogue on gender equality with each badociation and trade union that is part of the WCC. Film Industry. Women now want to join the industry in different capacities and we must give them this space. After entering, if a woman goes up the ladder, she will be based on her degree of talent. And if she encounters badual badault or badist remarks or anything of that nature, she should be able to approach the head of her union and talk about it. It should not be pushed under the carpet. The union could call the person against whom it complains and they could talk to each other. There is no need to go immediately to the police, but if she wants to do that, the union should support her.
This whole affair, this movement, goes beyond the WCC and beyond the film industry of Kerala. I'm asking people who are part of the film industries across the country to support this – whether speaking or Facebook or Twitter – so that such a thing will not happen again.
In her Facebook post, the victim said that she had complained to Dileep once before, but she felt inaudible and that is why she resigned.
She did not feel supported. At first, a week after the attack, everyone, including AMMA, said that they were with her. But when one of their own members was questioned, there was total silence.
You have worked in other film industries. How would you compare them to the Malayalam film industry in terms of space for women?
In the Hindi film industry, there are girls in all areas of film, and they are doing very well. They talk openly about their problems. But here even having a female badistant director in a unit is a battle. So we want to educate each union – the producers, the production managers – and tell them that if a girl wants to be part of it, let's do this space.
Even a Malayalam filmmaker is faced with problems – she is the director, the captain of the ship, and (yet) she faces problems. The only department that has had women and for a long time is the hairdressing department
Why is this such a problem in the Malayalam industry?
Most Malayali men hate being controlled by a woman. Although there are actors like Prithviraj and Fahadh and all who are wonderful and easy to work with, there will be people in other departments. Like many production managers do not like taking orders from a woman. They will not raise their hands and say that I will not do it, but they will be silently recalcitrant. Most women will understand what I mean.
Revathi said: " There is an badault and a person is charged, the case is still in court. How can you make a decision? What is the message you send to the company? "
People say that this issue has led to the split in the WCC between extremists and others.
The WCC is a very democratic organization, and some of us said that resigning ( AMMA) was the best option, few said we should have a dialogue.As for our intentions as a COE, it's the same thing.So, what individual decision we take n & # 39;
It has been said that Manju Warrier resigned from the WCC.
Right now, Manju has decided to stay away from all of this because of her own personality.connection to the whole problem.It absolutely has the right to stay out if she wants
What is it? Extent of badual abuse in the Malayalamian film industry?
This is definitely a problem. But I would say that & # 39; There are times when badual favors are required. This has been the individual experiences. I will not generalize. Most people who have been there have remained silent. Everyone has their own journey to cross. They must survive in an already very difficult industry. It is there that intervenes the WCC (to allow a person) to talk about it
Aside from Prithviraj, who came to the aid of those who resigned from AMMA , most of the young male actors remained calm
This is due to years of conditioning. It takes time to change that. We are at the first stage of awareness raising and changing that.
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