Veteran actress and mother of actor Prithviraj Sukumaran, Mallika Sukumaran, has launched a strong critique against the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). Her condemnation comes in response to the organisation's decision to host a party for film festival delegates, an event she believes was ill-timed given the ongoing sensitive climate surrounding a recent actress assault verdict.
Mallika Sukumaran's Emotional Facebook Note
In a candid Facebook post, Mallika Sukumaran expressed her profound disappointment. She argued that the current situation demanded silence, support, and sensitivity from the film fraternity, not celebration. She highlighted the long and painful journey of the survivor, a woman who endured eight years of struggle before being able to publicly declare herself a survivor and speak openly about her mental anguish using her own name.
"This is the truth. The justice system and society called her a survivor," Mallika stated, emphasising the gravity of the moment. Her words pointed to a disconnect between the organisation's actions and the collective empathy required.
Questioning a Women-Led Organisation's Stance
Mallika Sukumaran directed pointed questions at AMMA, an association with significant female leadership. She reminded everyone of its earlier promises of unity and solidarity. "What did this organisation, which is run by women, show the world?" she asked pointedly.
She further probed the depth of their camaraderie, asking, "Do they not value even the tears of a fellow colleague who stands beside them?" Her statement reflected a deep sense of letdown, suggesting the party undermined the very support system AMMA is meant to represent.
Criticism of the Party's Purpose and Timing
The actress critically addressed the purported reason for the celebration—to rewrite AMMA's history. "So, they want to give a party to film festival delegates to rewrite AMMA’s history. Is this what the organisation’s idea of charity is?" she questioned sarcastically.
While acknowledging reports that the event had ministerial approval and a cleared budget, Mallika zeroed in on the core issue: timing. "Let it be anything. But did it have to be done today itself?" she asserted, implying a severe lack of judgement.
She also expressed her expectation that male members within AMMA should have intervened. "They should have told them to keep their colleagues close, not push away those who speak up, and to make sure not to lose their inner worth," she said.
Concluding her powerful note, Mallika Sukumaran reminded everyone of a shifting paradigm. "Times have changed. The story has changed," she stated, ending with a poignant observation: "What is built is built by women, and what is destroyed is also destroyed by women." Her message serves as a stark reminder of accountability and the need for conscientious action within influential institutions.
