'You shouldn’t think of the #MeToo as a movement': Mohanlal faces severe criticism as old comments resurface amid AMMA resignation

In the wake of the Hema Committee Report, which sent a shockwave across the nation, Mohanlal, the celebrated actor and president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (A.M.M.A), resigned alongside other top officials amid fierce backlash over some of its members facing sexual abuse allegations.

Amid this, an old interview of the Lucifer actor has surfaced online and is garnering severe criticism for his comment on the #MeToo movement. In 2019, during an interview with Gulf News Dubai interview, when Mohanlal was asked about the #MeToo movement, he replied, “We can also come out with #MeToo. Gender wise, we should also start #MeToo.”

Followed by a laugh he added, “Nothing. I don’t know. See, I cannot make a comment on that because when you experience, then only you will have to talk about that. Otherwise just giving a comment is not a right thing.”

In another portion of the interview, he said, “There’s no big problem in the Malayalam industry … You shouldn’t think of the #MeToo as a movement actually. It’s a fad and it’s turning into something of a fashion. Anything like that will have a lifespan for a bit.”

Bashing Mohanlal, one netizen wrote, “@Mohanlal It definitely sounds like you are one of them. You just destroyed everything you have ever earned. Please disappear. You are not needed anymore.” Another user commented, “His body language, smirk and repeated denial of ghastly sexual misconduct against his women colleagues are proof enough to make him equally culpable of the crimes. His acting chops can take a backseat.”

“Hurts on many levels to hear those words from Mohanlal. I have adored him from
childhood. But what an absolute monster,” said another social media user.