Shobhaa De Urges Mohanlal To 'Be A Man' And Address Kerala Film Industry’s #MeToo Storm; Actor Schedules Urgent Media Meeting Today

Columnist Shobhaa De slams Mohanlal over his silence on Kerala’s #MeToo scandal as actor prepares for media interaction.

New Delhi: Columnist and author Shobhaa De has spoken out against the lack of response to the #MeToo movement in Kerala's film industry, focussing on Mohanlal, a legendary figure in Malayalam cinema. In a harsh statement, De blasted Mohanlal, calling his resignation as head of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) "cowardice" for not standing up for the survivors' right to justice. 

NDTV quoted Shobhaa De saying, “Stand up, be a man, tell your other team members to take responsibility and help those who are at the receiving end." 

In addition, Shobhaa brought attention to the fact that, in response to feeling oppressed by a "cosy men's club" run by a few number of influential individuals.

The author went on to say that Mohanlal's choice to leave AMMA was counterproductive.  “The way this industry works is it’s a patriarchal system in its nastiest, most toxic form. Women seem to be completely voiceless and powerless. So things must be changed. I’m extremely, in a way, disheartened, shocked that the all-powerful executive committee headed by Mohanlal was to resign en masse. How does it help?” she questioned.

Mohanlal To Meet Media

Mohanlal is expected to meet the media in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday, breaking his silence amidst this growing issue. At noon, after the start of the Kerala Cricket League at the Hyatt Regency, the actor will meet with the press. Following the resignations inside AMMA and the publication of the findings by the Hema Committee, this will be his first public remark.

Last week, Mohanlal stepped down as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists. He presided over the group as president and oversaw a 17-person executive committee. But the committee members all sent in their resignations at the same time. Their decision was taken in response to the alarming accusations made by many actresses who, after the public disclosure of the Justice Hema Committee investigation report, accused male industry members of sexual misconduct.