The World Opinion

Tag: Malayalam industry

  • Kerala High Court Rejects Actor Siddique’s Anticipatory Bail Request In Sexual Assault Case. People News

    Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday dismissed the anticipatory bail application filed by actor Siddique, seeking bail in a case relating to sexual assault of a woman actor.

    The decision comes in the wake of an ongoing investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to address incidents of sexual misconduct within the industry.

    The allegations were brought to light by a woman actor, who filed a complaint leading to a First Information Report (FIR) being registered by the police in Thiruvananthapuram.

    Siddique has categorically denied the allegations, and a comprehensive court order is pending.

    This legal development follows Siddique’s request for anticipatory bail on September 2, in response to a rape case lodged against him.

    Malayalam film industry has recently been rocked by a “Me Too” movement exposing various allegations of sexual abuse.

    In light of the allegations, Siddique resigned from his position as general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), along with the entire 17-member executive committee.

    Serious allegations have been made by several women actors against prominent figures in the industry, including director Ranjith and actors Mukesh, Siddique and others.

    In addition to Siddique, other actors such as Mukesh, Jayasurya, Edavela Babu, and Maniyanpilla Raju have also been implicated in sexual assault cases.

    The surge in these allegations came in the wake of the release of the Justice Hema Committee report, which exposed disturbing accounts of harassment, exploitation, and the systematic mistreatment of women in the industry.

    The report, made public on August 19, after redacting the names of witnesses and the accused, noted that the Malayalam film industry is controlled by about 10 to 15 male producers, directors, and actors who dominate and exert control over the industry.

  • Superstar Mammootty Reacts To Justice Hema Committee Report Row | People News

    Kochi: Veteran actor Mammootty on Sunday shared his thoughts on the ongoing controversy in the Malayalam film industry following the sexual harassment allegation made by actresses and also reacted to the Justice Hema Committee report that was recently made public.

    In a post on Facebook, Mammootty penned a long note that read, “This post is based on the current developments that Malayalam cinema is facing. The organizational method is that the organization and leadership of the actors react first. Waited this much because I believe That I should give my opinion only after such. Cinema is the epitome of society. The film industry pays close attention to. “Small and big things that happen there will be a big discussion. In order to prevent anything unpleasant from happening, filmmakers need to be careful and vigilant so that nothing happens untoward in this sector.”

    Praising the initiative of the Hema Committee, he stated, “The Justice Hema Committee was formed by the government to study the film industry and prepare a report to suggest solutions and recommend measures after something happened that should never have happened. We wholeheartedly welcome and support The recommendations and solutions outlined in that report. The police investigation is proceeding vigorously on the complaints that have been raised. There is no ‘powergroup’ in cinema. Justice Hema requested that the practical recommendations of the committee should be enacted if there are legal. Ultimately the film must survive.”

    Earlier this month, a redacted version of the Justice Hema Committee report on harassment faced by women in the Malayalam cinema industry was made public.

    It contains shocking accounts alleging harassment, exploitation, and ill-treatment of women professionals.

    The 235-page report, published after redacting the names of witnesses and the accused, notes that the Malayalam film industry is controlled by about 10 to 15 male producers, directors, and actors who dominate and exert control over the industry.

    The report of the three-member panel headed by a former judge of the Kerala High Court and set up by the state government in 2017, was submitted to the Pinrayi Vijyan-led Kerala government in December 2019 and made public only this month.

    Kerala government on Sunday said that it has decided to form a special investigation team, led by a senior police officer, to investigate allegations of sexual abuse in the Malayalam film industry.

    “In light of recent interviews and statements from several women in the Malayalam film industry detailing the hardships they have faced, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan convened a meeting with senior police officials here on Sunday,” said an official release from the Chief Minister’s Office.