Mohanlal resigns, Malayalam film body dissolves amid '#MeToo' storm 

Mohanlal has resigned as the president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). The actor announced his decision on Tuesday afternoon, following an avalanche of sexual assault and rape allegations against some of Mollywood's biggest names, including veteran actor Siddique and filmmaker Ranjith Balakrishnan.

All members of the film body's executive committee have also submitted resignations. A statement from AMMA said the top decision-making body had taken "moral responsibility" and dissolved itself "in light of allegations made by some actors against some of the committee members". An election to form a new committee will be held within two months, AMMA said.

Actors Jagadish, Jayan Cherthala, Baburaj, Kalabhavan Shajon, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Joy Mathew, Suresh Krishna, Ananya, Vinu Mohan, Tovino Thomas, Sarayu, Ansiba, Jomol and Tini Tom were part of the committee, which has now been dissolved. The silence of AMMA regarding the allegations and the Hema Committee report was questioned by the public and members of the film fraternity.

Female actors accused some of the members of the committee of sexual misconduct. After the Hema Committee report was made available to the public on August 19, many actors came forward with their harrowing stories and accused filmmakers, actors and technicians of sexual harassment.

The Hema Committee report exposed the rampant sexual harassment, casting couch practices, pay disparities, exploitation and lobbying in the Malayalam film industry. The report has opened Pandora's box with many women levelling sexual allegations against many senior actors and filmmakers.

Actor Siddique, who was the General Secretary of AMMA, resigned from his position after a female actor accused him of sexual misconduct. Apart from Siddique, filmmakers Ranjith, and Thulasidas, actors Jayasurya, Mukesh, Maniyanpilla Raju, Edavela Babu and Suraj Venjaramoodu were named as abusers by female actors.