As Mohanlal Takes Charge, AMMA Decides Dileep Can Come Back

Actor Dileep.

(Photo: Courtesy: TNM)

The Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) decided that Dileep can return to the organisation stating that due procedures were not followed for his expulsion. Dileep was expelled from the body last year for his alleged involvement in the abduction and rape of a Malayalam movie actor.

Though many senior artists spoke up in favour of Dileep's inclusion in the body, AMMA will ask Dileep to take a call on whether he wants to return to the film body.

The discussion to take back the actor into AMMA took place during the general body meeting of the association held in Kochi on Sunday. This was the first meeting presided over by actor Mohanlal, who took charge as president of AMMA on Sunday.

Office bearers of the association stated that they wanted to take Dileep back and the association had not followed the necessary procedures while expelling the actor. Several actors, including women members, also supported the decision to reinstate Dileep, in the meeting.

Even though Dileep could have approached the court against the association’s action, it was good that he did not do so. If he had moved legally against his removal, the story would have been different.

Siddique, actor

According to reports, Edavela Babu, Siddique and actor Urmila Unni spoke up in favour of Dileep. Last year, actor and politician Ganesh Kumar had blamed Prithviraj for exerting undue pressure and ousting Dileep from AMMA, without giving him an opportunity to react to allegations. The Women in Cinema Collective has not yet responded to Dileep's comeback into the film body.

Actor Dileep was removed from Amma on 11 July 2017, despite getting support from different corners of the industry. The decision was taken after he was arrested for his alleged role in the conspiracy which led to the abduction and sexual assault of a prominent woman actor on 17 February. With the police claiming that it had got "irrefutable evidence" linking the actor to the conspiracy, the removal of Dileep became unavoidable.