The Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), the first of its kind organisation for female movie artists, voiced its protest against the reinstatement of actor Dileep into the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). He was expelled last year, following his arrest in the high profile actress assault case. The office-bearers decided to take back the popular actor on Sunday, citing reasons that the decision to expel him would not stand valid on certain technical grounds.
In a Facebook post, WCC lambasted the 'anti-woman' move by the film actors' association. In the post, WCC asked the AMMA office bearers to introspect into the reason why Dileep was expelled last year, asking if there have been any changes in the situation now. The decision to bring back Dileep was taken at a general body meeting of the association on Sunday. Veteran actor Mohanlal took charge as the president of AMMA at the meeting, succeeding actor and MP Innocent.
WCC, in the post, asked if the assaulted actress was still a member of AMMA and what message this decision would give to the survivor, and Kerala's society at large. Reiterating their support for the actress, WCC in the post, sought to remind AMMA that they have welcomed back an accused in a sexual assault case, who is still facing trial.
The decision to expel Dileep was taken at an emergency meeting of AMMA at actor Mammootty's residence in Kochi on July 11, 2017, a day after his arrest in the actress abduction and assault case.
Dileep was then serving as the treasurer of the association. He was granted bail after serving 85 days in jail.
The WCC was formed in May last year to address gender discrimination in Mollywood, in the backdrop of the actress abduction case.