July 05, 2017
Actor and Lok Sabha member Innocent on
Wednesday said the Malayalam film industry is "clean" of the casting
couch. But a distasteful remark made by him regarding "bad women"
created a furore among the newly floated Women's Collective in Cinema
(WCC).
Innocent spoke about it while answering a question at a press
conference held here on Wednesday to deny media reports that he is
quitting as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists
(AMMA).
"The Malayalam film industry is clean now and no such thing as casting
couch exists in the industry... It is not like the yesteryear. The
situation today is such that if there is any bad behaviour towards any
women, the media will know immediately," he said, adding: "But if the
woman is bad, maybe they will go to bed".
Following this remark, the WCC slammed it through their Facebook page.
"Even though we thank Innocent for the nice words he spoke about WCC,
we are forced to strongly disagree with his remark that casting couches
no longer exist here.
"Very recently only, our own members Parvathy and Lakshmi Rai have all
spoken loudly on this topic. We want the newly appointed Justice Hema
Commission to study the issues of women in the film industry to look
into this aspect also," read the post.
WCC was formed last month by the women working in the various
departments of the Malayalam film industry. It is led by actress Manju
Warrier.
Bindu Krishna, state president of the Mahila Congress -- the women's
wing of the Congress party -- said Innocent's statement is a shame and
an insult to Kerala.
"Through this statement, he has proved that he does not have any
respect and his position as AMMA president is not tenable. AMMA should
be disbanded. For that, all those who have self respect, should come
forward," said Krishna.