The ongoing dispute between actor and mimicry artist Tini Tom and Ansiba Hassan, former Joint Secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), has escalated after public support for Ansiba emerged from actor Asif Ali. The controversy began when Ansiba accused Tini Tom and others within AMMA of forcing her to resign from her post and alleged she was targeted with a smear campaign and communal remarks. Speaking to Cinema Express, Asif Ali emphasized that internal organizational conflicts should be resolved internally unless all avenues are exhausted. He stated, “Problems within an organisation should be resolved within that organisation. It is only when that does not happen that someone is compelled to speak publicly. People like Ansiba may be speaking out because they have no other option.” He also advised approaching issues related to caste and religion with common sense.
Ansiba Hassan has renewed her allegations, claiming that Tini Tom and certain AMMA members were responsible for her decision to step down. She alleged that she was subjected to a smear campaign and accused Tini Tom of making communal remarks against her. The allegations gained further traction after Ansiba appeared before authorities to submit a statement related to another complaint she had filed. While the exact nature of the complaint remains unspecified in the report, it reportedly involves actress and AMMA Vice President Lakshmipriya and Thrippunithura Women’s Cell Sub-Inspector Reshma.
Meanwhile, Tini Tom responded to the legal action being taken against him during a media interaction at a private function in Karukappilly, Kochi. According to Mathrubhumi, a friend of Tini Tom spoke about the emotional toll the controversy had taken on him. However, Tini Tom chose not to elaborate further on the matter and stated that he would leave everything “in God’s hands.” Earlier, Tini Tom had denied all allegations and challenged Ansiba to pursue legal remedies if she believed she had been wronged.
Ansiba Hassan appeared before the Thrikkakara Assistant Commissioner of Police office on Sunday to provide a statement in connection with her complaint. Speaking to the media afterward, she reiterated her allegations against Tini Tom and criticized the manner in which the issue had been handled. She said, “Tini Tom did not wrong only me; he wronged an entire community. Particularly, he has done wrong to people in a secular state like Kerala. It is very unfortunate. When someone has a personal grudge and finds nothing else against a person, they may think they can use the fact that my name is Ansiba Hassan against me. That sends a wrong message to society.” She added that Malayalis have understood the issue clearly and that Tini Tom’s actions cannot be justified, stressing that he must face the consequences.
The controversy has sparked discussions within Kerala’s Malayalam film industry, highlighting concerns over internal governance, representation, and the handling of disputes involving caste and communal sensitivities. Asif Ali’s public support for Ansiba has added weight to the ongoing debate, while Tini Tom’s silence and invocation of faith have left many questions unanswered. The legal and administrative proceedings initiated by Ansiba are expected to further unfold in the coming days, with implications for both individuals and the broader industry.
