These Malayalam stars have been accused of sexual harassment
After the report of the Justice Hema Committee, which probed the incidents of sexual harassment against women actors in the Malayalam film industry, the victims are now coming forward one after another. Big stars of the Malayalam film industry are facing allegations of sexual harassment. The Hema Committee report has exposed widespread sexual harassment in the Kerala film industry. 15 big celebrities of Kerala film industry are involved in this case. The names of 10 accused have surfaced, one of whom is actor Dileep.
In 2017, a three-member committee was formed after an actress’ car was allegedly tampered with. Many women are speaking out and accusing film industry giants of sexual harassment. A special team has been formed by the Kerala government to investigate this. Kerala Police has registered the first case against filmmaker Ranjith.
What was the charge on Ranjit?
Bengali actress Srilekha Mitra accused Ranjith of sexual harassment during the pre-production of ‘Paleri Manikyam’ in 2009. After this, a non-bailable case has been registered under IPC Section 354 for using criminal force with intent to hurt the dignity of a woman. Amid the allegations, Ranjith has resigned as the president of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy. However, he has denied the allegations.
These include big names too
Mukesh, Jayasuriya, Manianpila Raju and Advela Babu are accused of sexual harassment. Actress Meenu Munir has accused these people of abusing and assaulting her in a hotel room during the shooting of ‘Calendar Aur Nadkame Ulkam’. He said that when it all became unbearable, he was forced to leave the Malayalam film industry and shift to Chennai.
Another big name in the Malayalam film industry, Baburaj, who is the joint general secretary of the Malayalam Movie Artistes Association, has also been accused of sexual harassment. A junior artiste alleged that Baburaj called him to his house to discuss a role in a film and molested and assaulted him.
Siddique, former general secretary of the Malayalam Movie Artistes Association, was accused of sexual harassment by actress Revathi Sampath. Director Tulsidas is also accused of misbehaving with actress Geeta Vijayan during the shooting of ‘Chanchattam’ in 1991. Vijayan alleged that Baburaj had also raped other women.
What does the Hemy Committee report say?
According to the Hema Committee report, many industry bigwigs make objectionable demands in the name of giving work opportunities to women and in return to make a career in acting. At the same time, they force their way into hotel rooms under the influence of alcohol and even the sets and changing rooms are not safe for women.
Aggrieved women are threatened to remain silent. After all, abusers run the industry and they threaten to ruin the career of anyone who speaks out against them. Many big actors, directors and producers of the Malayalam industry are also involved in this shameful case. More names may surface if the SIT probe probes into these allegations.
