The Malayalam film industry has been in the spotlight for the past few days. Veteran actress Minu Muneer has made significant allegations against top leaders and has recently flagged the threats she has been receiving.
The Malayalam film industry has been thrown into chaos with a whopping 17 cases filed regarding allegations of sexual harassment. This upheaval has led to the dissolution of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). It’s anticipated that numerous individuals in the industry, including actors and directors, will face questioning.
Actress Sonia Malhaar Reveals Facing Sexual Abuse In Workplace
Recently, Malayalam actress Sonia Malhaar brought forth allegations of molestation by a male actor back in 2013 on a movie set. Sonia has responded promptly by launching a complaint with Kerala’s Special Investigation Team, set up specifically to address claims related to the ‘#MeToo’ movement in the film industry. However, Malhaar is keen to clarify to the media that actor Jayasurya is not involved in these allegations.
Actress Minu Muneer Flags Threats On Social Media
Malayalam actress, Minu Muneer who called out actors like M Mukesh, Jayasurya, Maniyanpilla Raju, and Idavela Babu has now raised her voice against threats she’s received after opening up. Recently, she exposed one of the messages thrown at her on social media. She is all set to provide her statement to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) which is looking into the matter.
The actress recounts a chilling incident where she alleges that ex-AMMA secretary, Idavela Babu, tricked her by offering her help in securing AMMA membership, only to assault her in his apartment. Moreover, she points her finger at actor Mukesh, also a CPM MLA, for barring her AMMA membership after she turned down his indecent proposal.
During a conversation with NDTV Minu Muneer revealed shocking details about her incident with Jayasurya, “I had a bitter experience while shooting for a film. I had gone to the toilet and when I came out, Jayasurya hugged me from behind and kissed me without my consent. I was shocked and I ran out.”
She told the media portal, “There is a lot of exploitation in the Malayalam film industry. I am a witness and victim. When I moved to Chennai, nobody reached out to me, asking me what had happened?” Mukesh is facing some serious allegations right now, but he’s not backing down. He’s openly said that he’s ready and willing to cooperate with a thorough investigation to establish his innocence.
His claim is that Muneer had approached him earlier trying to get him to cough up some cash. Mukesh believes this group now turning against him is the one pressuring him for money. The actor caught in this situation has been dropped from his position on a government committee assigned to shaping the future of film policies.
About Hema Committee Report
The Malayalam film industry appears to be under the grip of a select group of about 10-15 men, including producers, directors, and actors. This revelation is part of a 235-page report, with the identities of both victims and accused redacted for privacy. The report is a product of the diligent efforts of the Justice Hema Committee, a three-member team set up by the state government in 2017, who finished their investigation in 2019. However, due to legal wranglings, the report couldn’t be made public until recently.