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The Malayalam film industry is currently grappling with a wave of sexual abuse allegations, leading to the resignations of prominent figures. Director-screenwriter and Kerala Chalachitra Academy chairman Ranjith and Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) general secretary and actor Siddique stepped down from their respective positions on Sunday, amidst a growing chorus of calls for accountability. This comes in the wake of a report by the Justice K Hema Committee, which investigated allegations of sexual harassment within the industry, and subsequent revelations made by women working in cinema against filmmakers and actors.
Ranjith, a renowned filmmaker, is accused of misbehaving with a Bengali actor. While he maintains his innocence and claims to fight the allegations legally, the public outcry for his removal from the Academy chair proved too strong. Siddique, a veteran actor, also submitted his resignation to AMMA president and superstar Mohanlal, citing allegations of sexual abuse against him. A woman actor had accused Siddique of sexually assaulting her after inviting her for a movie discussion. This incident, along with the committee report and other surfacing allegations, has created a storm of controversy and forced the industry to confront its darker side.
The Kerala government, in response to the gravity of the situation, has formed a special police team to investigate the findings of the Justice K Hema Committee report and the subsequent allegations made by women. This move signifies the state's commitment to ensuring a safe and just working environment for women in the film industry. While the resignations of Ranjith and Siddique are a significant step, they are merely the tip of the iceberg. The industry needs to undertake a comprehensive and systemic overhaul to address the deeply ingrained culture of abuse and silence that has persisted for too long. This includes establishing robust grievance redressal mechanisms, promoting a culture of zero tolerance for harassment, and ensuring equal opportunities and fair treatment for all members of the film community, regardless of gender.
Source: Malayalam filmmaker, actor quit posts over sexual abuse charges