Hema Committee Report aftermath: From Mukesh to Jayasurya, artists who have been named for misbehaviour

After the Hema Committee report was made public, several women came forward to narrate their traumatic experiences in the industry. Some also filed a formal complaint against their alleged perpetrators. So far 10 cases have been filed. We take a look at the alleged perpetrators and reactions of bigwigs from the Malayalam cinema. 

Updated On: 2024-09-02 11:20 AM IST

Compiled by : Athulya Nambiar

Mukesh, Jayasurya, Siddique

Baburaj: 

A junior artist filed a complaint against Baburaj for sexually assaulting her after offering her a role in a movie. She also faced harassment on the hands of director Shrikumar. The complainant registered her complaint with the SIT set up by the Kerala government via email

M Mukesh: 

Actor and Kollam MLA for CPI(M) Mukesh has been accused of rape by an actress. The actress alleged that the abuse had caused her to leave the Malayalam film industry and relocate to Chennai. Denying all allegations Mukesh M stated that the actress had tried to blackmail him and termed the case as politically motivated. On Thursday, he got a temporary relief when a lower court in Kochi prevented his arrest till September 3

Ranjith: 

Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra was the first to file a complaint of sexual harassment againt the filmmaker. Later, an aspiring male actor accused Ranjith of sexually abusing him when he demanded his nude pictures during an audition in 2012. The complainant said that Ranjith wanted to send those pictures to his girlfriend (who was actress Revathy back then)

VK Prakash: 

On August 29, the Kollam Pallithottam police filed a case against actor-director VK Prakash under section 354 (a)(sexual harassment) of the Indian Penal Code following a complaint by a young female writer

Edavela Babu: 

The Ernakulam north police have filed an FIR against Edavela Babu.  However, they refused to share the case details saying that it was “confidential"

Thulasidas: 

Actors Geetha Vijayan and Sridevika accused senior director Thulasidas of harassment. Sridevika said the director would repeatedly knock on her hotel room door later at night for several days during the shoot of Avan Chandiyude Makan. She had also filed a complaint against the filmmaker with AMMA who did not take action.

Actor Geetha Vijayan also shared her traumatic experiences with Thulasidas, stating that she faced similar harassment and stood up against it, which seemingly led to her exclusion from numerous films. Geetha alleged that Thulasidas harassed her persistently during the filming of his 1991 movie Chanchattam, repeatedly disturbing her in her hotel room by incessantly ringing the doorbell. 

 Vichu and Noble:

 Production executives have also been named in different cases. Production controller Vichu was booked in two police stations for different crimes. While the Ernakulam Central police registered a case against him under sections 509 ( prohibits words, gestures or acts that are intended to insult a woman’s modesty) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Nedumbassery police booked him under section 79 (making gesture intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of  Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita(BNS).

Maniyanpilla Raju: 

The Fort Kochi police have reportedly registered an FIR against actor-producer Maniyanpilla for sexually assaulting a woman. The survivor told The News Minute that Maniyanpilla Raju demanded sexual favours from her on the set of Da Thadiya (2012) starring Nivin Pauly, Sekhar Menin and Ann Augustine.

Siddique: 

The Museum police in Thiruvananthapuram has registered an FIR against senior Malayalam actor Siddique over charges of rape on the complaint of a young actress. Siddique has also given a complaint to police stating that the allegation by the woman actor is a conspiracy against him.

Siddique had earlier resigned as general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) following allegations made by the young actress.

 

Jayasurya: 

Two FIRs have been registered against Malayalam actor Jayasurya following the sexual harassment complaint of Sonia Malhar and Minu Muneer. Kerala Police informed ANI, "Second FIR registered against actor Jayasurya under 354, 354A(A1)(I) 354D IPC. The case was registered after the complainant's statement was recorded. FIR has been registered in Thiruvananthapuram and will be transferred to Thodupuzha Police Station."

Jayasurya calls allegations false: 

The actor called the allegations against him false. He said, "Due to my personal commitments, my family and I have been in America for the past month, and during this time, two false allegations on the grounds of sexual harassment were made against me. Quite naturally, it has shattered me, my family, and everyone who has held me close.”

“I have decided to move forward with this legally. My legal team will be looking after the rest of the proceedings regarding this case. False allegations are easy to make for anyone who lacks a conscience. I only hope one realizes that facing a false accusation of harassment is just as painful as the harassment itself."

After the Hema Committee report was made public, some of the bigwigs from the industry registered their reaction in the matter

What Mohanlal said: 

Mohanlal addressed the press at a conference on Saturday, almost two weeks after the report was made public. He welcomed the report and said that it is not just the responsibility of AMMA to speak about the case

What Mammootty said: 

The three-time National Award-winning star took to Facebook and penned a comprehensive post stating that no ‘power groups’ exist and everyone should let courts decide the punishments instead of creating a divide. Read his complete statement here

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