Janakiraman became central to this conversation because, nearly 11 years ago, she too, had been the victim of inappropriate behaviour by a director named Samy, who slapped her on the sets of a Tamil film
Jane Borges (MID-DAY; December 30, 2018)

Long before the #MeToo and #TimesUp movement gained steam in Bollywood, a storm had started brewing down South. Helming this campaign were leading South Indian actors Revathi, Parvathy and Padmapriya Janakiraman, who had come together to start the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC). Instituted a few months after one of their female colleagues was abducted and brutally assaulted in February last year, WCC became formidable force, when they spearheaded a campaign in June this year, to protest the reinstatement of actor Dileep - allegedly involved in the assault - to the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA).

"The degree of victim shaming, and the number of people casting aspersions at her, was shocking," says Delhi-based Janakiraman. That they were challenging the decision of its president, Malayalam superstar Mohanlal, set the tone straight - they were fighting for the right to equality.

Janakiraman became central to this conversation because, nearly 11 years ago, she too, had been the victim of inappropriate behaviour by a director named Samy, who slapped her on the sets of a Tamil film. "He later tried to defend himself by arguing that he wanted me to cry as the scene demanded it," she recalls with a laugh. But Janakiraman took him head-on. He was later banned by the Federation of Film Employees of South India (FEFSI) and the Producers' Council from making films for a year.

For Janakiraman, it was also a time of reckoning. "I came from a cosmopolitan Army background, where my parents treated me and my brother as equals. Later, when I joined the movies, I also had a day job as a risk analyst; I did that for more than four years. So, even though I, as an actress, wasn't being paid on par with the male actors, it never directly affected me," says Janakiraman. But, it hit home, after she took a break from her film career to pursue an MBA from NYU. "When I returned, I felt that all these directors, who I otherwise thought were great to work with, were patriarchal and sexist."

Post the Dileep incident, WCC helped take this conversation one step further. "All we wanted to do was create a space that assimilates and understands us. Our organisation wants to have a women-friendly environment, where there are equal opportunities for all. We hope to provide them [female colleagues] with counsellors, networking, legal aid or just a friend to talk to, so that they don't feel alienated," says Janakiraman.

Unfortunately, it's not been rosy. "Ever since we became part of WCC, a lot of us have been denied work opportunities. When I meet a colleague now, I can sense that they are uncomfortable around me; I have to remind them, that 'hey, I have a whole decade of a relationship with you'. Having said that, we have put all our cards on the table, and there is no going back."

Refutes actor and association president Mohanlal’s claim that he was forced to resign
Gladwin Emmanuel (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 24, 2018) 

Malayalam actor Dileep revealed on Tuesday that he had quit AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists) on his own and not after being asked by the association to step down. This refutes an earlier statement by AMMA president and actor Mohanlal that Dileep quit after he demanded his resignation. Following pressure from the WCC (Women in Cinema Collective), he quit on October 10.

Dileep was removed from AMMA in July 2017 after his arrest in connection with the abduction and sexual assault of a Malayalam actress on February 17, 2017 near Angamaly, Ernakulam. He was charged with planning the attack and hiring the group that carried it out. The association’s decision last week to reinstate him after Mohanlal took charge as President of the guild has been widely criticised across sections.

Dozens of women filmmakers across India have expressed “shock and deep disappointment” at the reinstatement of rape accused and a statement signed by 120 women urged the association to show “sensitivity and responsibility” in the assault case and “operate democratically”. Three actresses, Rima Kallingal, Remya Nambeesan and Geethu Mohandas quit AMMA, following Dileep’s inclusion in the association after his release from jail.

In a Facebook post, Dileep asserted that he quit AMMA on his own after discussing the matter with Mohanlal. Saying that there’s an attempt to sully the association’s name, he maintained that he wanted to avoid any damage to AMMA because of him. He clarified that as per the association’s bylaw, he can be ousted only if majority members in the general body want him to go and suggested he has majority support. “Since my abdication was accepted, it is a resignation and not ouster,” he said.

Gladwin Emmanuel (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 20, 2018)

Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) president Mohanlal on Friday said that the film body has accepted the resignation of actor Dileep. The veteran actor also claimed that he was the one to seek a resignation from Dileep, who is accused in an assault case.

Meanwhile, the association is disinclined on taking back Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) members — actresses Rima Kallingal, Remya Nambeesan and Geetu Mohandas — who had quit AMMA when Dileep was reinstated as an AMMA member following his release from jail.

“If they wish to come back to AMMA, they will have to apply again. There are procedures to be followed,” Mohanlal said in a press conference, in which office-bearers Siddique, Jagadish and Idavela Babu, among others, were also present. He added that it is not possible to convene a general body meeting for the sole issue of reinstating the actresses.

Stating that an ICC (Internal Complaints Committee) was formed after he took over the association as president, Mohanlal added that an explanation would be sought from actor Alencier, who has been accused by an actress of sexual misconduct and that AMMA would consider charges against actor Mukesh, one of the vice-presidents of AMMA, if a formal complaint against him is received.

The WCC members had recently accused AMMA leadership of irresponsible attitude and insensitivity.

Criticising Malayalam actors' guild for reinstating rape accused Dileep into the organisation, Kamal Haasan says male stars' silence on the subject is unfortunate
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; July 19, 2018)

Pointing out how the country was once led by a woman prime minister, Kamal Haasan says he is ashamed at the apathy shown to women's issues today. That the recent decision of Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) to reinstate rape accused Dileep into the artistes' body was deplorable, hasn't escaped people's notice.

However, the megastar is shocked at how the male actors from the South film industry have maintained a studied silence on the subject. In sharp contrast, several leading ladies of the industry resigned from the guild, accusing it of shielding Dileep.

Dismayed that female actors are fighting a lone battle, Haasan says, "I don't know what stops actors from taking part in gender equality issue. I am sure every man is concerned, but at the same time, he is old-fashioned. He needs to wake up and understand that our country was headed by a woman prime minister nearly 40 years ago. She committed some mistakes for which we criticised her. But, we still brought her back. So, as a society, we aren't going to spare anyone [in the wrong] nor are we going to lead an unnecessary witch hunt."

Fiercely outspoken as always, Haasan doesn't mince words as he says that the Mohanlal-led AMMA was wrong in welcoming the accused back into the fold. "My opinion may affect [my relation with my peers], but that doesn't concern me."

In an industry that thrives on pandering, Haasan says his views leave little place for it. "Mohanlal is a dear friend of mine, we are almost neighbours. There is a possibility that he won't agree with my views, but that doesn't imply that I need to say good things about him. Tomorrow, if he doesn't align with my political views, he will speak up and I will not hold it against him."

Leading actors slam AMMA's decision
After Dileep was accused of sexually assaulting a female actor last year, he was ousted from AMMA in July 2017. But, after he was granted bail by the Kerala High Court last October, the body revoked his suspension on June 24. It must be noted that several actors from Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) were absent when the decision was taken. Irked by the insensitive call, four female stars resigned from AMMA the next day. Revathy, Parvathy Menon and Padmapriya Janakiraman not only condemned the act, but also wrote to AMMA, demanding an emergency meeting.

Actor arrested in abduction and assault case was released from prison on conditional bail in October
Gladwin Emmanuel (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 26, 2018)

The Women In Cinema Collective (WCC) has come out strongly against the decision of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) to reinstate Dileep. The actor was expelled from the association last year following his arrest in the abduction and rape case of an actress.

The collective, an organisation for women in Mollywood, on Monday condemned the ‘antiwomen’ stand of the association after reports suggested that in an AMMA meeting on Sunday in Kochi, Dileep’s reinstatement was discussed. The collective sought to know how the situation had changed since Dileep’s expulsion given that the trial in rape case in which Dileep has been charged is yet to conclude. By taking the actor back, the collective reasoned, the association was humiliating the actress who had survived the brutal attack. It argued that by its move the decision was challenging the law.

Reports quoting AMMA sources say that Dileep was expelled from the association without his explanation being heard, which was against the bylaw of the association.

He spent 85 days in prison after his arrest in the abduction and assault case on July 10. A day after his release in October, after he was granted conditional bail by the Kerala High Court, he was reinstated by The Film Exhibitors United Organisation of Kerala (FEUOK). He was expelled from the post of president of the FEUOK last July.

Dileep’s Ramaleela released on September 28, 2017, ran to packed houses.