Mollywood Faces 17 Sex Abuse Allegations
Mollywood faces a major shake-up as sexual assault allegations against top stars emerge following the release of the Hema Committee report.
CORRECTION: The picture shown in the video against Siddique's name is incorrect.
After the shocking release of the Hema Committee report last week, Mollywood, the Malayalam film industry, is now facing a storm of sexual assault and rape allegations against some of its biggest male stars.The Hema Committee, formed by the Kerala High Court in 2017, was set up to investigate sexual harassment and gender inequality in the film industry. The committee’s 290-page report, which was submitted in December 2019 but made public only on 19th August 2024, reveals disturbing cases of sexual exploitation, illegal bans, wage discrimination, and terrible working conditions for female artists in Mollywood. The report also highlights how certain male producers, directors, and actors have been ruling the industry like a “mafia,” threatening and banning those who don't follow their orders.Since the report's release, at least 17 police complaints have been filed against top actors, producers, and directors. Prominent Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra was the first to file a case, accusing director Ranjith of molestation during the making of the film *Paleri Manikyam* in 2009. Following her, other women have come forward with similar allegations, including actress Minu Muneer, who accused actor Jayasurya of sexual harassment on a film set and MLA M Mukesh, among others. The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) has also been dissolved after its president, superstar Mohanlal, resigned on “moral grounds,” as several members of AMMA were accused. The rising number of allegations has sparked a revival of the #MeToo movement on social media, with many calling for justice and a complete overhaul of the industry. The Kerala government has responded by forming a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into the complaints. As investigations continue, the people of Kerala, and fans of Mollywood worldwide, are left wondering how deep the issue runs and whether this is truly just the beginning of more serious revelations to come.
