The Malayalam film industry is in turmoil following the release of the Justice Hema Committee report, which has revealed a shocking culture of sexual harassment and abuse. Finally, the industry is witnessing its #MeToo awakening as victims of the abuse use the platform to voice their stories & shatter the silence.
When Did It All Start?
This commission began in February 2017, after a prominent Malayalam actress Bhavana Menon was allegedly molested in a moving car. Five men kidnapped her, filmed the assault (according to evidence), and then dropped her off.
The accused influential actor Dileep filed a complaint against her ‘false claims’ & during the investigation, it was revealed that he had allegedly conspired with other men to "teach her a lesson".
Since then, the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) was created, including a group of 10 women from the Malayalam industry. Their goal was to expose the sexual harassment & exploitation that took place behind the scenes in Mollywood, and empower the victims to speak up, confirming that the information will be confidential.
After the 2024 report revealed the dark secrets, numerous allegations came to light.
Minu Muneer's Alarming Claims
Actress Minu Muneer has accused well-known actors M Mukesh, Jayasurya, Maniyanpilla Raju, and Idavela Babu of harassment. She describes how Jayasurya allegedly hugged and kissed her without consent, while Idavela Babu made unwanted sexual requests.
Mukesh is accused of using abusive language and trying to blackmail her, while Maniyanpilla Raju asked her to keep her hotel door open at night.
Chinmayi Sripaada's Ongoing Battle
Singer Chinmayi Sripaada, a strong advocate for the #MeToo movement, has faced backlash for accusing veterans like Vairamuthu and Radha Ravi of molestation. Despite the clout of these men, she continues to call for a fair justice system that supports the victims.
Tess Joseph's Resurfaced Allegations
As fresh scandals have been revealed, Casting director Tess Joseph's past allegations against actor M Mukesh have resurfaced. He was accused of inappropriate behaviour by inviting her to his hotel room multiple times. This has led to public outrage and calls for his resignation.
Revathy Sampath “Felt Numb”
Actress Revathy Sampath has shared her traumatic encounter with actor Siddique, claiming he physically assaulted her. He allegedly locked her in a room for hours as she felt trapped and helpless, unable to reach out for help.
Vinta Nanda Confessing ‘Silencing’
Filmmaker Vinta Nanda has accused actor Alok Nath of rape, noting that many women remain silent due to fear of losing their careers or further getting ‘punished’.
Forced Re-Takes Of Intimate Scenes
The report reveals that actresses are often pressured to repeat intimate scenes, even after experiencing assault. One actress was forced to redo a kissing scene 17 times, just days after the co-star molested her.
Suspicious Resignations
In response to these testimonies, director Ranjith Balakrishnan and actor Siddique have resigned from their positions at the Kerala Chalachitra Academy and the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA).
However, top actors like Mohanlal and Mammootty have chosen silence over addressing these horrifying issues.
The Meltdown
The release of the Hema Committee report has shaken up the Malayalam film industry, sparking necessary conversations about sexual harassment, inappropriate comments, nonconsensual intimate actions, and much more.
Now survivors are bravely sharing their stories and demanding accountability from Mollywood’s these normalized ‘mafia groups’ and ‘boys' clubs’.
The future of Mollywood hangs in the balance as it confronts its dirty secrets.
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