Following new allegations of sexual misconduct in the Malayalam film industry, Kerala’s transport minister, K.B. Ganesh Kumar, declined to comment, stating that it is the responsibility of the minister for cultural affairs to address the issue.
He mentioned that the culture minister has already provided clarifications.
“I can’t comment on this issue right now. The cultural affairs minister, who has already clarified, should address it. As the minister for transport, I find the media’s relentless pursuit unnecessary and distressing,” said Ganesh Kumar during an interaction.
The minister added that the media has targeted him for 23 years, but there’s nothing left to exploit.
The Malayalam film industry is under intense scrutiny following the release of the Justice Hema Committee report on August 19.
The report reveals systemic issues concerning the treatment of women in the Malayalam film industry, leading the government to form a special team to investigate the allegations.
The revelations have increased public scrutiny and caused significant upheaval within the industry.
The Hema Commission report opens a can of worms
Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra has accused prominent Malayalam filmmaker Ranjith of misconduct, resulting in his resignation as chairman of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy.
Kerala’s minister for cultural and youth affairs, Saji Cherian, has pledged a thorough investigation, asserting, “The government will not shield anyone at fault. Action will be taken if the allegations against Ranjith are confirmed.”
The scandal has also elicited strong reactions from filmmaker Biju, who has called for Ranjith’s immediate removal and criticised the perceived lack of governmental action.
Additionally, actress Revathy Sampath has publicly accused Malayalam actor Siddique, who is also the general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), of sexual misconduct.
Revathy Sampath recounted a troubling experience with Siddique, alleging that a professional meeting turned into a distressing encounter involving assault and threats, following initial contact through a seemingly fake social media account.
The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), which includes influential film personalities including Mohanlal and Mammootty, denied the accusations.
Its general secretary Siddique rejected claims of a small and powerful group controlling the industry and disputed the notion that sexual harassment is widespread. He noted that most complaints were about payment delays or non-payment, and stated that conditions for women on film sets have improved significantly over the past five years, with all necessary facilities now available.
(Edited by S Subhakeerthana)
This article was originally published on SouthFirst.