MAA Women Protection Cell Has Powerful Claws

Maa Women Protection has powerful claws.Amidst recent allegations of misconduct in the Telugu film industry, the Telugu Movie Artists Association (Maa) has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting its female members. A source close to the association claims that Maa has a robust "Women Protection Cell" that is actively working to safeguard and protect female actors from any form of abuse or harassment.

The Women Protection Cell, formed shortly after Vishnu Manchu assumed the presidency of Maa, comprises a diverse group of members, including 5 office bearers, 18 executive members, 4 women members, and over 20 individuals from various fields. The source emphasizes that the cell operates with absolute impartiality and is dedicated to assisting any member who comes forward with a complaint.

"The cell members are readily available to provide support and take appropriate action,” the source states. “Every female member has been given the cell’s phone number and email ID for immediate reporting and swift action."

Addressing the recent allegations made by actress Poonam Kaur against director Trivikram Srinivas, the source clarifies, “If Ms. Kaur wishes to pursue her complaint, she is welcome to file a fresh complaint with Maa. The association is not aware of any previous complaint filed by her.”

Regarding the dissolution of the executive committee of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) following allegations of sexual assault and misconduct, the source acknowledges the difficult situation. “AMMA is facing challenging times. We hope they can find a way to address the issues effectively.”

Maa is actively encouraging actors from other language industries, including Bollywood and Kollywood, to join the association to protect their interests. “Actors like Satyaraj, Radhika, and Samuthrakani have already joined Maa, and we are in communication with another 30-odd actors who work in Telugu films,” the source reveals.

Maa is also in discussions with Tamil, Hindi, and Karnataka film associations to establish a “unified” membership card. This initiative aims to streamline the process for actors to work across language barriers, ensuring smooth transitions and protection for all members.

The source concludes, “Maa is committed to creating a safe and respectful working environment for all its members. We are actively working to address any concerns and ensure that the voices of our female members are heard and their safety is prioritized.”