The Malayalam film industry is once again in the spotlight as veteran actor and CPI(M) MLA Mukesh has been removed from a state government panel responsible for formulating cinema-related policies. This decision comes in the wake of sexual assault allegations made against him by actor Minu Muneer, who accused Mukesh and another actor, Jayasurya, of abusing her on the set of a movie in 2013. Muneer further claimed that Mukesh made unwanted advances when she approached him for help in joining AMMA, the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists.
In response to these accusations, Mukesh took to Facebook on Tuesday to deny the allegations, labeling them as attempts at blackmail. He claimed that Muneer first reached out to him in 2009 and then again in 2022, demanding money. Mukesh emphasized that he is not willing to succumb to these “blackmail tactics” and called for a transparent investigation to uncover the truth behind the allegations. “The truth must come out… I welcome inquiries into allegations against filmmakers, including myself,” he stated.
The scandal, which has been simmering since the release of the Justice Hema Committee report on sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry, has led to significant upheaval. The report, filed in 2019 but only recently made public due to legal challenges, has triggered a flood of accusations against prominent figures in Mollywood. In total, 17 cases have been registered against actors and filmmakers, including Siddique and Ranjith Balakrishnan, the latter accused of molestation by Bengali actor Sreelekha Mitra.
In a related development, veteran actor Mohanlal resigned from his position as the head of AMMA, along with the organization’s entire executive committee, who cited “moral responsibility” for the ongoing crisis.
The Kerala government, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, has faced increasing pressure from both the opposition BJP and the Congress-led United Democratic Front. In response, the state has established a seven-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe all sexual assault charges within the industry. This move underscores the growing demand for accountability and transparency in addressing the widespread allegations that have rocked Mollywood.
Sources By Agencies
