Hema report: Two women members slam producers’ body in Kerala

Kochi: Two women members of the Kerala Film Producers Association (KFPA) came down heavily on its leadership, saying it failed to address the issues following the release of the Hema Committee report. They demanded a new committee be elected.In a letter submitted to KFPA secretary, producers Sandra Thomas and Sheela Kurian alleged the "current committee operates only to protect the interests of a few individuals." They demanded a general body meeting convened to discuss the issues in detail and elect a new committee.The letter alleged that the meeting of women producers convened by the association to discuss the crises faced by them in the context of the Hema report release served no purpose other than recording the minute that such a discussion took place. It also alleged that a non-member participated in the meeting."During the meeting, a letter to the chief minister regarding the Hema Committee report was read out. When we expressed disagreement with its content, executive committee member Anil Thomas said the letter had already been sent to the CM. Such a letter should have been discussed at least within the committee. Most committee members were unaware of the letter. It indicates that the objectives of the producers' association are driven by vested interests. Such approaches by the association are tantamount to mocking women producers and other women in the film industry," the letter said.They alleged that the association, which remained silent after the Hema Committee report was released, issued a press note within hours after allegations were made against actor Nivin Pauly. This clearly shows that the association operates solely for the interests of certain individuals."Recently, the producers association organised a stage show in collaboration with (actors' body) AMMA to raise funds. However, 95% of the producers, including executive members, were not invited to this event. Many members stated that there was a restriction from AMMA on involving others apart from those who participated. Is the producers association a subsidiary of the AMMA organisation to follow such restrictions?" the letter asked.MSID:: 113266754 413 |Kochi: Two women members of the Kerala Film Producers Association (KFPA) came down heavily on its leadership, saying it failed to address the issues following the release of the Hema Committee report. They demanded a new committee be elected.In a letter submitted to KFPA secretary, producers Sandra Thomas and Sheela Kurian alleged the "current committee operates only to protect the interests of a few individuals." They demanded a general body meeting convened to discuss the issues in detail and elect a new committee.The letter alleged that the meeting of women producers convened by the association to discuss the crises faced by them in the context of the Hema report release served no purpose other than recording the minute that such a discussion took place. It also alleged that a non-member participated in the meeting."During the meeting, a letter to the chief minister regarding the Hema Committee report was read out. When we expressed disagreement with its content, executive committee member Anil Thomas said the letter had already been sent to the CM. Such a letter should have been discussed at least within the committee. Most committee members were unaware of the letter. It indicates that the objectives of the producers' association are driven by vested interests. Such approaches by the association are tantamount to mocking women producers and other women in the film industry," the letter said.They alleged that the association, which remained silent after the Hema Committee report was released, issued a press note within hours after allegations were made against actor Nivin Pauly. This clearly shows that the association operates solely for the interests of certain individuals."Recently, the producers association organised a stage show in collaboration with (actors' body) AMMA to raise funds. However, 95% of the producers, including executive members, were not invited to this event. Many members stated that there was a restriction from AMMA on involving others apart from those who participated. Is the producers association a subsidiary of the AMMA organisation to follow such restrictions?" the letter asked.MSID:: 113266754 413 |