Actor Baburaj withdraws nomination for AMMA general secretary post
'I am quitting from all works related to the association. This is not out of fear,' he said in a social media post on Thursday (July 31, 2025).
The candidature of Mr. Baburaj, who had faced allegations of sexual misconduct following the release of the K. Hema Committee report on the problems faced by women in the Malayalam film industry, was opposed by several actors, including Maala Parvathi, Mallika Sukumaran and Anoop Chandran, stating that it may set a bad precedent as actors had stayed away after facing such allegations on earlier occasions.
However, actors such as Sarayu, and Ansiba had stated that there was nothing wrong in the accused contesting the elections.
Mr. Baburaj said he was 'pained' by the allegations raised against him by some of the members, despite having worked in the association for the last eight years.
'They could have defeated me through the electoral process. That would have been democratic. But I am unable to move ahead facing the allegations,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Urvashi, Vijayaraghavan bring laurels to Malayalam
1 2 Kochi: The National Film Awards for the year 2023, declared on Friday evening, brought cheers to the Malayalam film industry. Senior actors Urvashi and Vijayaraghavan won the awards for the best supporting actors for their performances in the movies 'Ullozhukku' and 'Pookkalam' respectively. Ullozhukku, directed by Christo Tomy, also won the award for the best Malayalam movie. Urvashi shared the best supporting award with Gujarati actor Janaki Bodiwala (Vash) and Vijayaraghavan shared the award with Tamil actor M S Bhaskar (Parking). It is the first time that Vijayaraghavan is winning a National Film Award while it has been the second national honour for Urvashi as the best supporting actor. Mohandas won the award for the best production designer for the movie '2018: Everyone is a Hero'. Midhun Murali won the award for best editor for 'Pookkalam'. M R Rajakrishnan won the special mention of the jury for the re-recording of the Hindi movie 'Animal'. Sudipto Sen, the director of the movie 'The Kerala Story', which triggered controversy in Kerala, won the award for the best director. Under the non-feature film category, the Malayalam documentary 'Nekel-Chronicle of the Paddy man', directed by M K Ramdas, won the special jury mention. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You To Read in 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo CM slams award for 'Kerala Story' Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan congratulated Malayali artists who won honours in the National Film Awards. The awards to Urvasi and Vijayaraghavan enriched Malayalam cinema, he said. However, he criticised the jury for choosing the controversial film 'The Kerala Story' for awards and said the awards were an insult to Kerala. Without mentioning the name of the movie, Vijayan said, "The jury has disrespected the esteemed tradition of Indian cinema, which stands for religious harmony and national upliftment, by choosing for awards a film built on lies, aimed at defaming Kerala and spreading communalism. This is part of the Sangh Parivar agenda to use cinema as a weapon to implement their divisive agenda. We strongly protest this action. Every Malayali and believer in democracy across the country should raise their voice against this injustice. We must unite against the politics that turn art into a tool for promoting communalism." Award for 'Kerala Story' unacceptable: Oppn leader Opposition leader V D Satheesan said the awards to the film The Kerala Story was unacceptable. He said the film's sole intention was to spread religious hatred. "BJP and Sangh Parivar, who are implementing divisive politics, are trying to gain political advantage by spreading false information about Kerala. This will not succeed," he said.
New Indian Express
5 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Actor Kalabhavan Navas found dead in hotel room
Malayalam film actor and mimicry artist Kalabhavan Navas was found dead in a hotel in Chottanikkara here on Friday evening, police said. The incident came to light when the staff of the hotel, where Navas (51) was staying for a film shoot, alerted authorities. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead, police said. Police suspect he suffered a cardiac arrest. Manorama News reported that Navas had completed shooting for his upcoming film Prakambanam on Friday and was preparing to vacate his room. The report added that a hotel employee found the actor unconscious in his room when he went to confirm his checkout. According to the police, no suspicious items were found in his room. His body, currently kept at SD Tata Hospital in Chottanikkara, will be handed over to his family after the autopsy on Saturday. Navas was widely known for his comedic and supporting roles in several Malayalam films, including Mattupetti Machan, Junior Mandrake, and Amma Ammayi Amma. He began his career as a mimicry artist with the famed Kalabhavan troupe, which brought him early recognition. His film debut came in 1995 with Chaithanyam. Beyond cinema, Navas was active in television and frequently performed at stage events across the state. He came from a family deeply rooted in the performing arts — his late father, Aboobacker, was a noted theatre artist and actor. His wife, Rehana, and brother, Kalabhavan Niyas, are also actors. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in a Facebook post, expressed grief over Navas's untimely demise. 'The passing of film and television actor Kalabhavan Navas is deeply saddening. Entering the world of performing arts through mimicry, he brought new dimensions to the craft of comic impersonation and won over many hearts through stage shows. Navas was also an artist who upheld progressive and democratic values. I offer my condolences and join his family and admirers in their grief,' the Chief Minister wrote.
NDTV
5 hours ago
- NDTV
Malayalam Actor Kalabhavan Navas Found Dead In Hotel Room
Kochi: Malayalam film actor and mimicry artist Kalabhavan Navas was found dead in a hotel in Chottanikkaraa on Friday evening, police said. The incident came to light when the staff of the hotel, where Navas (51) was staying for a film shoot, alerted authorities. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead, police said. Police suspect he suffered a cardiac arrest. A versatile entertainer, Navas earned widespread acclaim as a mimicry artist, playback singer and actor in Malayalam cinema. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condoled his demise.
