President of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) Innocent has apologised for the behaviour of some members of the organisation at an AMMA press conference in Kochi a week ago.
Interacting with the media at his residence at Irinjalakuda on Wednesday, Mr. Innocent, however, ruled out resigning from the post of president of the organisation.
“I apologise on behalf of the two actors who reacted emotionally. I also apologise on behalf of some actors who hooted at the meet. I was shocked and couldn’t react at that time. But it was unexpected. It was wrong on my part. I should have stopped them. The organisation will decide whether to take any action against those actors,” he said.
K.B. Ganesh Kumar and M. Mukesh, actors-turned-MLAs, reacted emotionally when the media asked about AMMA’s stance on the abduction and harassment of an actor and the derogatory comments by some actors on the incident.
Mr. Innocent alleged that the media were spreading rumours that he would resign as AMMA president. “I have been forced by the members to continue in the post. The public have got many misconceptions about AMMA,” he said.
Reiterating that AMMA was supporting the assaulted actor and actor Dileep, who has been dragged into the controversy, Mr. Innocent said those who had erred should be punished.
“We are with the actor who was harassed. But we are not ready to hound anyone in that name. I personally asked Dileep whether he had any role in the case. He denied.”
When asked about the allegation of casting couch and misbehaviour towards female actors, Mr. Innocent said times had changed and there were no such incidents in the film world now. “But if someone is bad they may share bed,” he said.
‘Misinterpreted’
Later in the day when his comments on casting couch invited criticism, Mr. Innocent said he did not make any derogatory comments about women at the press meet. He said his statement was misinterpreted by the media. “I meant to say that a women-friendly atmosphere has been formed in the film industry compared to earlier times,” he said.
