These days, the Malayalam film industry is in turmoil due to cases of sexual harassment and exploitation of women. After the Hema Committee report on the problems of women in the industry came out, female artists associated with Malayalam cinema are becoming more vocal and sharing incidents that have happened to them.
The case of actress Meenu Kurien, which came to light in this connection, has now become bigger. In a Facebook post, Meenu had accused some actors and technicians of the Malayalam industry of physical and verbal abuse. Now she has also taken legal action in this matter.
Meenu Kurien lodged a complaint
According to the information, Meenu has filed a complaint of sexual assault through email against all the 7 people whom she had accused in her Facebook post. This includes the names of Malayalam actor-CPIM MLA Mukesh, actor Jayasurya and Idavela Babu.
Meenu’s name in her Facebook profile is Meenu Muneer and in her recent post, she wrote, “I am writing to report the incidents of physical and verbal abuse on me in the Malayalam industry, which involved: Mukesh, Maniyan Pilla Raju, Edavela Babu, Jayasurya, Advocate Chandrasekaran, and production controllers – Noble and Vichu.”
In the post, Meenu further wrote, ‘While working on a project in 2013, I was subjected to physical and verbal abuse by these people. I tried to cooperate with them and continue working, but this abuse became intolerable.’ Meenu has filed a complaint of sexual abuse against some of the 7 people and verbal abuse against some.
Malayalam Artists Association resigned
After the Hema Committee, there has been a major twist in the turmoil going on in Malayalam cinema. All the members of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), the body of the Malayalam industry, have resigned.
According to the information, after the report of the Hema Committee, taking moral responsibility for the allegations of sexual harassment against some members of the governing body, the entire governing body of AMMA has resigned. Malayalam cinema icon Mohanlal was the president of this association and it had an executive committee of 17 members.
The association informed that within 2 months, the general body meeting of the association will be held in which a new governing body will be elected. A statement said, ‘We hope that AMMA will get a new leadership, which will have the ability to restore the lost trust of AMMA and strengthen it. Thanks to everyone for the criticism and guidance.’
Let us tell you, Meenu had accused Idavela Babu of offering her sexual favours in exchange for membership of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). Recently, senior Malayalam actor Siddiqui resigned from the post of General Secretary of AMMA. He too was accused of sexual harassment by an actress.
(Input: Shibi)
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)