Case against actor Nivin Pauly for sexual abuse during Mollywood #MeToo

Kochi Islands:

Hours after a case was registered against Malayalam film star Nivin Pauly (40) in Kerala’s Ernakulam district based on a complaint filed by a woman, the actor on Tuesday denied the allegations and said he will do everything he can to fight the case.

In her complaint, the woman alleged that she was deceived with promises of a chance to act in films. She also alleged that she was sexually abused outside India by a group of six persons, including Mr Pauly who has been charged as the sixth accused.

Speaking to the media at a hastily called press conference on Tuesday evening, Mr Pauly said: “I don’t know who she is, I’ve never seen her or spoken to her. This is unsubstantiated news and I will do everything in my power to prove the allegations wrong,” Mr Pauly said.

“It will take time for the truth to finally come out, and I will work with everyone to achieve that. Forty-five days ago, the police called me and told me that there was a complaint against me. I said that I had never seen or met the woman who filed the complaint, and the police closed the case.

“There could be a conspiracy behind it… There could be others involved in making such allegations (against me). My family is behind me. I first called my mother, who said there is nothing wrong. I will fight this case not just for myself but for everyone who is in trouble because of such false allegations. Except for one person, a producer, I don’t know the rest of the people named in the case,” the actor said, adding that he had met the producer in Dubai.

The actor also took to social media platform X and said, “I have come across a false news report accusing me of molesting a girl. Please know that this is completely untrue. I am determined to go to any lengths to prove that these allegations are baseless and will take all necessary steps to bring those responsible to light. Thank you for your concern. The rest will be dealt with legally.”

According to sources, after the Hema committee report was published last month, she heard about the many complaints that had been filed. That is why she decided to file a new complaint against Mr Pauly.

The Oonukal police in Ernakulam district have registered a case against Mr. Pauly. The case will be transferred to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the Kerala government to investigate all cases of sexual exploitation of women in the Malayalam film industry.

Mr. Pauly, who has won two Kerala Film Awards, started out as a software engineer before entering the film industry in 2010. He has made over 50 films, several of which have become box office hits.

In 2016, he turned producer of ‘Action Hero Biju’ under his label Mr Pauly Jr. Pictures, which turned out to be a huge success.

There has been unrest in the Malayalam film industry since the long-delayed Hema Commission report last month, which exposed the widespread sexual exploitation of women in the film world.

The Kerala Police have so far registered FIRs against 11 persons, including nine from the film industry, based on complaints from actresses.

Those in the dock include actor and former CPI-M legislator Mukesh Madhavan, Siddique, Jayasurya, Edavela Babu, Maniyanpilla Raju, directors Ranjith and VK Prakash and production heads Vichu and Noble.

Actor Baburaj and director Tulasidas have also been named, but no charges have been filed against them yet.