Media Misleads Public Perception of Film Industry: Suresh Gopi

The actor and politician called the allegations “fodder” for the media and said they should be allowed to make money from them.

However, the Secretary of State for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Tourism said that one should not try to destroy such a major industry as cinema.

He was responding to reporters’ questions about the recent allegations of sexual harassment and assault against several directors and actors, including CPI(M) MP M Mukesh.

“This is all food for you, I understand that. You can use it to make money. (That is) no problem. But these issues are before the court, and it has the intelligence and logic to decide on this.

“You (media) are not only making people fight with each other for your own gain, you are also misleading the public perception. The complaints at this moment are in the form of allegations. What are you telling people? Are you the court? You are not. The court will decide. Let the court decide,” Gopi said.

His reaction came a day after the Yuva Morcha organised a march to Mukesh’s residence in Kollam.

The release of the Justice K Hema Commission report on harassment and abuse in the Malayalam film industry has sparked a storm of protest. Several female actors have come forward with disturbing stories of abuse they faced at the hands of their male counterparts.

Following these allegations, the government announced the creation of a seven-member special investigation team to investigate the allegations made following the publication of the Hema Commission report.

After that, more complaints were filed against various actors and directors.

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.