Malayalam filmmaker Aashiq Abu resigns from Film Employees Federation of Kerala after explosive Hema Committee report

Malayalam filmmaker resigned from the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) Director's Union, citing dissatisfaction with the union's leadership and its handling of the Hema Committee report. His resignation has highlighted significant issues within the film industry, particularly regarding the treatment of complaints and the response to allegations of misconduct.

Aashiq Abu, a prominent figure in the Malayalam film industry, expressed his frustration over the union's response to the Hema Committee report, which investigated allegations of sexual harassment within the Malayalam film industry.

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Abu criticized the union's approach, calling the actions of its leadership "hypocritical." He specifically targeted the general secretary of FEFKA, B Unnikrishnan, accusing him of failing to take the necessary steps to address the issues raised by the report.

In his resignation letter, Abu outlined his reasons for stepping down. He explained that he had been a member of FEFKA since 2009 and was later elected to its executive committee. However, despite his efforts to bring about change and his repeated attempts to address various issues, he found the federation's actions lacking, particularly when it came to intervening in matters that required immediate attention.

"I became a member of FEFKA in 2009 and was subsequently elected to its executive committee," Abu wrote in his resignation letter. "Despite several attempts on my part, the federation did not intervene when I encountered monetary issues with the producer. Not only did they fail to intervene initially, but they also began demanding a 20 percent commission from half the amount I received through their intervention."

Abu further elaborated on his discontent with the way the union handled his concerns. He revealed that he had a verbal argument with director Sibi Malayil over these demands. "I found this highly unjust and had a verbal argument with director Sibi Malayil about it. Due to his persistence, I eventually submitted a cheque for Rs 10 lakh to him. He returned the cheque, likely fearing it would cause further issues," he explained. Abu later discovered that two scriptwriters were also forced to pay commissions to the federation, a practice he found deeply troubling.

The filmmaker's resignation comes in the wake of his vocal criticism of the union's response to the Hema Committee report. The report was expected to lead to significant changes within the Malayalam film industry, particularly in how cases of sexual harassment and misconduct are addressed. However, Abu expressed disappointment in the lack of action from the union's leadership, which he felt did not align with the principles the organization claimed to uphold.

"I have no issues with FEFKA itself, but I strongly disagree with how the association is being run under B Unnikrishnan's leadership," Abu stated. "The government should recognize his hypocritical stance and remove him from the policy panel."

FEFKA's response to the resignation and the accusations has been to reaffirm its commitment to addressing misconduct within the industry. The union had earlier demanded the release of the names of abusers in the Malayalam film industry and praised the Hema Commission report for its thoroughness. The union also stated that it would take necessary action if complaints were filed against its members.

The resignation of Aashiq Abu has sparked a conversation within the Malayalam film community about the effectiveness of industry bodies in addressing serious issues such as harassment and misconduct. It raises questions about accountability and the need for transparent and decisive actions to foster a safer and more equitable environment for all members of the industry.

As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how FEFKA and other film bodies will respond to these challenges and whether Abu's departure will lead to significant reforms within the organization. His resignation is a reminder of the ongoing struggle for fairness and justice within the film industry, and the need for leaders who are willing to stand up for what is right.