AMMA bylaws to stay same, for now

KOCHI: The Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) has temporarily backed out from ratifying the amendments to its bylaws, reportedly after the objection from members including actors Paravathy Thiruvoth and Revathy.

Shortly after the annual general body meeting held here on Sunday, AMMA president Mohanlal said that they have decided to initiate a discussion on its constitution amendment as there have been several suggestions for the amendment of the bylaws from its members. “A single day was not enough to listen to all of our members. All the suggestions will be heard and then we will together make further decisions,” he said. He also said they are yet to decide whether to hold a special general body for this.

AMMA had earlier decided to bring four women members to its leadership, of which one would hold the post of vice-president. However, the actors Revathy and Parvathy Thiruvoth, who also are members of Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) have reportedly objected against the amendment. They have submitted their objections in a written format. “We have given our suggestions in the general body. They will decide the rest. Let’s wait,” said actor Revathy while coming out from the meeting.

However, Mohanlal denied that any one has opposed reforming the association rules. “No such event was occurred. Everyone had suggestions. They too had their own suggestions. We will discuss it and make a decision later,” he said.

Talking about the Internal Complaints Cell, general secretary Idavela Babu said that AMMA already has an Internal Complaints Cell. But he declined to name the members of the cell and said that the cell functions once an issue comes up. He said that there is an issue with its functioning with a recent High Court direction regarding the workplace of the women. Meanwhile, the organisation has not moved from its stand that the four actors including the survivor, who resigned from the organisation, have to apply for the membership to rejoin. “Anyone who is out of the organisation has to apply for the membership to rejoin. Since the bylaws have not changed yet, this is the process here,” said actor Ganesh Kumar, who is also the vice-president of AMMA.

Actor Jagadish said that there was a suggestion put forward by Mammootty that the four actors don’t have to pay the initial membership fee to rejoin the association. Meanwhile, there was no mention of the survived actor in the general body.

Speaking about actor Thilakan, they said that though he quit the organisation, he is very much part of AMMA. He was and will be one of the distinguished member of AMMA, they said.

Meanwhile, Mohanlal elected as the official spokesperson of AMMA.