Director Lijo Jose Pellissery has clarified that he is not part of the newly proposed film collective led by director Aashiq Abu, despite media reports suggesting his involvement. In a Facebook post, Pellissery emphasized that while he supports the concept of a progressive filmmakers’ collective, he is not currently affiliated with it. This collective, known as the Progressive Filmmakers’ Association, aims to reform the Malayalam film industry, which has recently been marred by scandals, including sexual harassment and exploitation claims highlighted by the Justice K Hema Committee report.
Pellissery explained that his friend, Aashiq Abu, had shared the idea with him, and while he agrees with its goals, any official participation would be announced by him directly. Until then, any information linking him to the collective is inaccurate. This statement is a setback for the group, which seeks to establish a new platform for filmmakers, actors, and technicians to modernize industry practices and promote fair working conditions.
The formation of this new collective comes after internal disagreements within the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) and the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) over their handling of harassment issues in the industry. The Progressive Filmmakers’ Association envisions creating a just, innovative, and organized industry environment, uniting key film professionals under a common cause for the future of Malayalam cinema.
