Bangalore: Malayalam actor Mohanlal on Monday said the body of film professional he heads was on the verge of a split because of serious differences over how to deal with an actor accused of plotting the abduction of an actress.

In his first media conference since taking over as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), Mohanlal told reporters in Kochi that it was in such an atmosphere last July that the guild had decided to expel Dileep.

"There was a lot of confusion as some felt Dileep should be sacked, others wanted him to resign while some wanted to suspend him," Mohanlal said, recalling the various views after police arrested Dileep and named him the chief plotter in the kidnap and sexual assault of the actress.

Dileep is now out on bail after spending nearly three months in custody.

"We then hastily expelled him only to realise we had not followed the procedure," Mohanlal, who took time off from an executive committee meeting of the AMMA in Kochi, said.

"So we let that decision stay until the next general body meeting, which is why we placed it on the agenda to get the views of members."

The decision to invite Dileep back was taken last month at the first general body meeting that was held after Mohanlal took over as the guild's president.

The move, interpreted as a brazen attempt to slight the survivor, had triggered a chain of exits from the most powerful body of film professionals in Kerala.

Among those who resigned was the survivor herself, who said she was opting out because the AMMA did not intervene when Dileep had specifically targeted her, ensuring that she did not get film offers.

Messages of resignations had followed soon from actresses Remya Nambeesan, Geetu Mohandas and Rima Kallingal.

It prompted Dileep to give in writing that he was not keen on returning without proving his innocence. "Since he himself has written to us, he will continue to be out of AMMA," Mohanlal said, clarifying that the matter ended there.

Mohanlal, however, claimed at the media conference that the guild had received the resignation letters of only the survivor and Remya Nambeesan.

He also said the guild was ready to hear out actresses who have complained about being sidelined in the organisation.

Actresses Revathy, Padmapriya and Parvathy had written to the AMMA calling for a general body meeting.

"We will hold a full executive meeting at the end of this month or early next and then call the general body where they can raise all complaints and grievances," Mohanlal, who seemed in a conciliatory mood, said.

Some critics have accused the guild of chauvinism since the controversy broke.

Mohanlal rubbished the allegation, saying women were present at all levels. "Of the 484 members, 234 are women who have every right to stand up and raise any question," he said.

The actor said he was planning to amend the guild's 25-year-old bylaws to improve women's participation. "We can reserve certain positions like vice-president and secretary for women who can anyway contest for all positions," he said.

He also denied allegations that the survivor had to battle the trauma on her own. "It's very sad. We have all along remained steadfast with the actress. Several of our members have always stayed in touch with her and we provided whatever possible support to her," he said.

"Very recently we invited her for a stage show in Muscat and encouraged her to do the event. But she was not interested," Mohanlal said.

He said the guild had no grudge against the Women in Cinema Collective, a breakaway group of women professionals formed after the kidnap and assault in February last year.

"In fact, they are all AMMA members. We welcome them and are ready to provide any help," Mohanlal said.