Malayalam Actor Minu Muneer Opens Up About Sexual Abuse by Co-Stars
27.08.2024: The Malayalam film industry has been rocked by serious allegations of sexual harassment as actor Minu Muneer accused prominent stars M Mukesh and Jayasurya of misconduct. These shocking revelations come amidst the ongoing turmoil in the south film industry, following the Justice K Hema Committee’s findings on the widespread harassment and abuse of women in the industry.
Allegations Against Prominent Stars
Minu Muneer took to Facebook to share her distressing experiences on the sets of a 2013 movie. She alleged that four actors—Mukesh, Maniyanpilla Raju, Idavela Babu, and Jayasurya—subjected her to physical and verbal abuse. In a candid interview with NDTV, Muneer recounted a particularly harrowing incident involving Jayasurya. “I had a bitter experience while shooting for a film. After stepping out of the toilet, Jayasurya hugged me from behind and kissed me without my consent. I was shocked and ran out,” she revealed. The actor also claimed that Jayasurya tried to lure her with promises of more work if she agreed to his advances.
Muneer further accused Mukesh, a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) of the ruling CPI(M), of denying her membership in the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) after she rejected his advances. Another disturbing incident involved Idavela Babu, AMMA’s secretary, who allegedly called Muneer to his flat under the pretense of processing her membership application but instead physically abused her.
The Struggles of Speaking Out
The revelations have sparked a wave of discussions about the exploitation faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. Muneer expressed her frustration with the lack of support she received after relocating to Chennai. “There is a lot of exploitation in the Malayalam film industry. I am a witness and victim,” she told NDTV. Despite speaking out against the abuse in a newspaper article, she felt isolated and unsupported.
Muneer’s courageous stand has prompted actor Maniyanpilla Raju, one of the accused, to call for a thorough investigation into the allegations. He suggested that vested interests might be exploiting the situation, but emphasized the need for a comprehensive inquiry to ensure that both innocent and guilty parties are correctly identified.
Government Response and Calls for Justice
In response to the mounting pressure, Kerala’s Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held a high-level meeting with senior police officials and announced the formation of a seven-member special team to investigate the atrocities faced by women actors in the industry.
The Justice Hema Committee’s report, which was constituted by the Kerala government after the 2017 actress assault case, has already revealed disturbing instances of harassment and exploitation within the Malayalam cinema industry. This report has reignited calls for swift action against those responsible for such heinous acts.
As the industry grapples with these revelations, the voices of victims like Minu Muneer are crucial in driving change and ensuring that justice is served. The need for accountability and protection of women in the entertainment industry has never been more urgent.