Kochi: Malayalam actor Ansiba Hassan, known for her role in Drishyam, on Saturday accused fellow actor Tiny Tom and some members of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) of subjecting her to “character assassination and communal abuse” and allegedly forcing her to resign from the organisation.
Hassan alleged that she was targeted with remarks branding her a “jihadi” and accusations of attempting religious conversion, along with rumours about her personal life. She claimed another member of the organisation informed her that Tiny Tom had made such statements. She also questioned whether she was being singled out due to her Muslim identity.
Speaking to television channels, Hassan said she had submitted her resignation from AMMA on February 21, citing personal reasons and work pressure, but had privately informed the organisation’s secretary about the actual issues behind her decision. She further alleged that a woman executive committee member of AMMA had filed a false police complaint against her, and claimed that neither the organisation’s president nor office bearers supported her during the controversy.
“I have been going through severe mental stress. There has been a limit-crossing character assassination campaign against me,” she said, adding that she did not wish to pursue legal action.
In response, actor Priyanka defended Tiny Tom, saying a person who has done no wrong should not be punished. She added that any issues raised by Hassan should have been addressed within AMMA, which has elected representatives to resolve such matters.
Rejecting the allegations, Tiny Tom said Hassan’s claims were based on hearsay. “Someone else has said that I made such remarks against her… that’s what she said. I am a person who works sincerely and speaks openly,” he told the media. He added that AMMA’s executive committee would take an appropriate decision on the matter.
Hassan had recently resigned from the executive committee of AMMA, where she served as joint secretary. AMMA president Shweta Menon said the resignation had been accepted and that Hassan had cited personal and professional commitments at the time.
Menon stated that the organisation received the complaint only around 2 pm on Saturday, after media reports emerged, and questioned whether it was a “planned move” as it was brought up on the day AMMA’s medical camp was underway. She said the organisation would examine the matter as per established procedures.
She also clarified that Hassan’s resignation from the executive committee had been accepted on May 12 and that her resignation letter mentioned only personal reasons, with no reference to any complaint against Tiny Tom.
According to Menon, Hassan had informed her about the police complaint, but she had conveyed that AMMA could not intervene in a matter already before the police.
With PTI inputs