Four prominent Malayalam actors accused of sexual abuse again

Hours after the actress levelled the allegations against Mukesh, a CPI(M) MP, in interviews with news channels, workers of Yuva Morcha and Mahila Congress organised separate marches to his residence in Kollam, demanding that a case be filed against him and that he resign from the legislature.

The Kollam MP has not responded to the allegations.

The female actor also accused three other prominent actors in the Malayalam film industry of sexual abuse.

Meanwhile, actor Maniyanpilla Raju has called for an inquiry into the allegations surfacing in the Malayalam film industry. He told reporters that there will be many more revelations and there will be multiple interests behind it.

“Some people will try to take advantage of the situation. Among the accused, there will be innocent as well as guilty parties. Therefore, a comprehensive investigation is necessary,” Raju said.

The development comes a day after director Ranjith and actor Siddique resigned as executives at a state-run film academy and the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) respectively, following allegations of sexual abuse against them.

Amid mounting pressure on the government to take action against alleged criminals in the film industry, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday held a high-level meeting with senior police officials and announced the formation of a seven-member special team to probe the atrocities faced by female actors.

The report by the Justice Hema Committee, set up by the Kerala government after the 2017 sexual assault case of an actress, has brought to light cases of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry, leading to calls for action against the culprits.