Show cause notices served to four as crisis in Malayalam film body AMMA escalates

Kochi, May 28 (IANS) The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) has plunged into a fresh crisis with the organisation issuing show-cause notices to key office-bearers and executive committee members amid escalating allegations, public infighting and factionalism.

As part of the disciplinary proceedings, former Joint Secretary Ansiba Hassan, General Secretary Kukku Parameswaran and executive committee members Tiny Tom and Lakshmi Priya have been directed to appear before the executive committee.

Ansiba has specifically been asked to appear between June 1 and 3 and submit evidence supporting the allegations she raised before resigning from her post.

The crisis has exposed deep divisions within the organisation, with AMMA president Shweta Menon and General Secretary Kukku Parameswaran reportedly heading rival camps.

Groupism and public sparring among office-bearers have severely disrupted the functioning of the actors’ body, once considered one of the strongest industry organisations in Malayalam cinema.

Though efforts are reportedly underway to resolve the standoff through internal discussions, insiders say the conflict has now escalated beyond informal reconciliation after several members openly levelled accusations against one another in public.

Senior Malayalam stars Mammootty and Mohanlal are understood to be closely monitoring the developments, but both have so far chosen not to directly intervene.

A major decision regarding the future of the present governing body is expected at the AMMA general body meeting scheduled next month.

The controversy intensified after Ansiba Hassan accused actor Tiny Tom of racial abuse, personal attacks and public humiliation.

Ansiba alleged that Tiny Tom repeatedly targeted her and referred to her using terms such as religious extremist and jihadi.

The actress is now preparing to initiate legal proceedings against Tiny Tom after reportedly receiving legal advice that her complaint has sufficient grounds.

Actress Nina Kurup and others are likely to be cited as witnesses in the case.

Adding to the pressure on Tiny Tom, actress Nina Kurup had earlier submitted a complaint to AMMA alleging that he publicly humiliated her during rehearsals for an AMMA family event and used abusive and obscene language.

She also alleged intimidation and inappropriate behaviour, demanding a detailed enquiry into what she described as repeated misconduct.

Meanwhile, Ansiba has also filed complaints against the police before the Chief Minister and the DGP, alleging that she was mistreated at a police station based on what she termed a false complaint filed by actress Lakshmi Priya. Ansiba has demanded that an independent committee, instead of the current executive committee, investigate her complaints.

She has proposed a neutral panel comprising actors Ramesh Pisharody (now a Congress MLA), Mala Parvathy and Dhyan Sreenivasan.

With internal divisions widening and allegations continuing to surface, the turmoil inside AMMA has now become another fresh headache for the egotistical Malayalam film industry.

–IANS

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