New organization in Mollywood led by Aashiq Abu and Rima Kallingal; Leadership aims to usher in new culture

KOCHI: A new organization in Malayalam cinema, the Progressive Filmmakers Association, has been formed under the leadership of acclaimed director Aashiq Abu and his wife, actress Rima Kallingal. The association brings together prominent industry figures, including directors Anjali Menon, Lijo Jose Pellissery and Rajeev Ravi, who are part of its core leadership. The association has vowed to promote a new culture in Malayalam cinema by empowering workers and upholding their rights.

In an open letter to filmmakers, the association emphasized its commitment to values such as equality, cooperation, and social justice. The letter urged industry professionals to take a more egalitarian approach, ensuring that every worker’s rights are respected and protected.

This move follows Aashiq Abu's resignation from FEFKA, the prominent association of Malayalam film technicians. His resignation was marked by sharp criticism of FEFKA’s leadership.

In a related development, the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) has raised concerns with the Chief Minister regarding the Reporter channel's release of sensitive information from the Hema Committee report. The open letter from WCC demanded action to prevent the disclosure of private details that could harm individuals involved. The collective strongly condemned the news outlet's actions, stating that some individuals with access to the report may be acting unethically, thus compromising privacy and confidentiality.