While two women testified before the Justice Hema Committee against Saajin Baabu, a scriptwriter claimed that VK Prakash misbehaved with her.
Published Aug 27, 2024 | 1:07 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 27, 2024 | 5:50 PM
Filmmakers Sajin Baabu and VK Prakash accused of sexual assault. (Supplied)
New revelations of sexual harassment by filmmakers and actors have emerged following the release of the Justice Hema Committee Report, which studied the gender bias faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. In the latest allegations, Malayalam directors Sajin Baabu, VK Prakash, and VA Shrikumar Menon have been accused of sexual harassment.
Two women accused award-winning filmmaker Sajin Baabu of sexual misconduct during the early stages of their careers.
Sajin Baabu, known for his critically acclaimed film Biriyaani (2019), has been accused by the two women during an interview with The News Minute. They decided to speak out after the director praised the Justice Hema Committee Report on Facebook. They previously testified before the Justice Hema Committee.
One woman, who worked on Sajin’s films, alleged that the director repeatedly visited her room under various pretences. Initially, she kept her experience to herself, but after hearing a similar story from another woman during the Justice Hema Committee’s closed-door meeting, she realised that Sajin Baabu’s behaviour was part of a pattern, said a report in The News Minute.
The second woman, who was not initially part of the film industry, also had a negative experience with Sajin Baabu. She claimed that during a meeting organised to translate a script, the filmmaker attempted to rape her.
When she resisted, Sajin Baabu repeatedly apologised but continued to harass her. She eventually managed to escape but remained traumatised for years afterwards.
In response to these allegations, Sajin Baabu admitted to his past mistakes and claimed to have apologised to both women. He provided a lengthy explanation to The News Minute, attributing his behaviour to patriarchal conditioning. However, he expressed a desire to become a better person.
On Monday, 26 August, a young female writer from the Malayalam film industry claimed that director VK Prakash misbehaved with her after inviting her to a hotel room in Kollam under the pretext of discussing a story.
She contacted VK Prakash to pitch a story she wanted him to direct, and he expressed interest in the project.
The scriptwriter stated that she repeatedly offered to send the story and continue the discussion only if he was genuinely interested. However, VK Prakash insisted on meeting at the hotel, where he requested her to present her story.
During the meeting, the filmmaker asked if she was interested in acting, but she declined, emphasising her role as a scriptwriter.
The director then narrated a scene and asked her to enact it. When she refused, he allegedly attempted to kiss her and forced her onto the bed. She resisted and made it clear that she had come to Kollam solely to discuss her script.
“I did not confide in any friends and was afraid to file an official complaint. Now, I feel confident that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has promised protection and support to women who have faced such experiences while pursuing their dreams. I admired his films and never expected him to behave this way,” the scriptwriter added.
Apart from Sajin Babu and VK Prakash, Odiyan (2018) director VA Shrikumar Menon has also been accused of sexually assaulting a junior artiste during the film’s shooting.
The junior artiste filed a complaint with the police against the filmmaker claiming that he sexually harassed her on the pretext of offering a role in advertisements. Shrikumar Menon is well-known in the advertising industry.
Malayalam actor and transwoman Anjali Ameer accused Suraj Venjaramoodu of making her feel uncomfortable on the sets of Mammootty-starrer Peranbu (2018).
In an interview with Mathrubhumi, Anjali Ameer revealed that during the shoot of Peranbu, Suraj Venjaramoodu asked her inappropriate questions about whether transgender people experience pleasure like women. She expressed her anger, warned him, and reported the incident to Mammootty and the director.
Suraj Venjaramoodu later apologised and has since refrained from such behaviour, which she appreciated.
Suraj Venjaramoodu starred as Mammootty’s friend and a taxi driver in Peranbu, directed by Ram.
Anjali Ameer clarified that while there are good people in the industry, there are also those who demand compromises. Her remarks follow the shocking revelations of the Justice Hema Committee Report.
Meanwhile, more allegations are being made against actor Mukesh. The name of the sitting MLA (Kollam constituency) came up in another misconduct incident. Junior artiste Sandhya stated that Mukesh misbehaved with the mother of one of her actor-friends in the latter’s residence. More details are awaited.
(Edited by Y Krishna Jyothi)
