The #MeToo reckoning in the Malayalam film industry, also known as Mollywood, shows no signs of abating, with new allegations and industry responses emerging.
Second Assault Case Filed Against Jayasurya
Despite Jayasurya's denials, the Kerala police have filed a second sexual assault case against him. This new allegation involves a female actor who claims Jayasurya molested her on a movie set near Thodupuzha in Kerala during 2012-2013.
These allegations emerged in the wake of the Justice Hema Committee report, which highlighted widespread workplace harassment, gender-based discrimination, and other forms of exploitation within the Malayalam film industry. The state government has formed a seven-member special investigation team to probe the claims made in the report.
Actor Jayasurya Denies Harassment Charges
Actor Jayasurya, has denied the allegations and announced his intention to pursue legal action. In an Instagram post, Jayasurya expressed gratitude to his supporters and said that the accusations have deeply affected him and his family.
Jayasurya, who is currently in the United States, stated,
"A lie always travels faster than the truth, but I believe truth will prevail."
He added that "false allegations are easy to make for anyone who lacks a conscience" and mentioned that his legal team will handle the remaining process.
Mammootty Denies Existence of "Power Centre" in Mollywood
Amid the ongoing #MeToo allegations in the Malayalam film industry, veteran actor Mammootty has stated that there is "no power centre" in Mollywood. This comes a day after Mohanlal, another top actor, claimed he was not part of any power group in the industry.
In a Facebook post, the 72-year-old Mammootty welcomed the recommendations of the Justice Hema Committee, which was formed to investigate issues of sexual assault and harassment in the industry. He said the full version of the Hema Committee report is before the court, and he urged the police to investigate the allegations "honestly."
Mammootty emphasised that "cinema is a reflection of the society" and that "the good and bad in the society are also present in the film industry." He stated that the norm is for the actors' organisation (AMMA) to respond to such issues first, and he had waited to speak out for this reason.
The veteran actor's comments challenge the notion of a "power group" controlling the Malayalam film industry, a key finding of the Hema Committee report. His remarks come as AMMA faces a crisis, with its entire executive committee, including President Mohanlal, resigning in the wake of the allegations against its members.
Mohanlal calls for industry-wide accountability.
In a recent statement, veteran actor Mohanlal, who previously resigned as the president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), argued that it is unjust to solely blame the organisation for the issues raised in the Hema Committee report.
Mohanlal emphasised that the entire Malayalam film industry should be held accountable for the problems identified in the report. He welcomed the report's recommendations and called for a "clean-up" and a "better future" for the industry.
The actor acknowledged that the industry is facing a "huge crisis" and urged the public not to "destroy" it. Mohanlal also advocated for the formation of an association to represent junior artists, many of whom have come forward with their own experiences of harassment.
For more on this, read: Mollywood #MeToo
Calls for Systemic Reform Intensify
The ongoing #MeToo crisis in Mollywood has reinforced the need for systemic reforms within the Malayalam film industry. Activists, industry stakeholders, and the general public are demanding comprehensive measures to address the deep-rooted issues of power imbalance, gender-based discrimination, and sexual exploitation.
The Kerala government has pledged to introduce new legislation that will provide greater protections for women and other marginalised groups in the film industry. The proposed law is expected to include provisions for mandatory internal complaint committees, stringent penalties for offenders, and better support systems for survivors.
As the investigations and public scrutiny continue, the Malayalam film industry finds itself at a pivotal moment. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether the #MeToo movement in Mollywood will catalyse lasting change or if the industry will continue to grapple with its deeply entrenched problems.
Inputs by Agencies
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