Published Oct 23, 2026 | 11:06 AM ⚊ Updated Oct 23, 2026 | 11:06 AM
Malayalam actor Balu Varghese. (Special Arrangement)
Fresh allegations of misconduct have emerged in the Malayalam film industry, months after the Justice Hema Commission report brought issues of harassment and exploitation to the forefront.
Actor Balu Varghese has received a legal notice from a woman who has accused him of touching her without consent. The notice seeks a written apology from the actor.
The allegations gained wider public attention after music director Sushin Shyam shared a report on his Instagram Story.
A source told South First that Balu was allegedly intoxicated at the time of the incident, which reportedly occurred during a game in the swimming pool.
“The incident took place during a birthday party attended by people with their families and children. Those who had remained silent about such allegations are now speaking out. The hope is that this will encourage people to speak up rather than remain silent,” the source said.
Balu had apologised to the woman, but she wanted the apology in writing, the source said.
The complainant later learnt that the actor had allegedly behaved similarly with another person, the source added. There were reports of two more women complaining about the actor’s conduct after the incident surfaced.
The source also said Sushin shared the report because the complainant was part of his close circle. Actors, including Kani Kusruti and Divya Prabha, have also reposted the story.
South First attempted to contact Balu Varghese for his response, but he was unavailable to comment.
According to a report by The News Minute, which quoted the complainant, the woman alleged that Balu Varghese touched her forcefully and that the contact was deliberate rather than accidental. She reportedly confronted the actor immediately after the incident.
The woman alleged that the actor initially brushed aside her objection, describing the contact as a mistake. However, she maintained that the nature of the contact made it difficult for her to accept his explanation.
According to the complainant’s account, Balu apologised after she continued to challenge his explanation.
The woman subsequently informed her husband about the incident. Her husband reportedly spoke to the actor the following day, seeking an explanation.
During that conversation, the actor allegedly reiterated that his hand had brushed against the woman accidentally. The complainant, however, maintained that the contact had been forceful and could not be dismissed as unintentional.
The legal notice seeks a written apology acknowledging the woman’s grievance and a formal assurance that such behaviour will not recur.
Balu Varghese began his career as a child actor in the 2005 film Chanthupottu.
He has since acted in several films, including Operation Java, director Tharun Moorthy’s debut, in which he played the lead role.
He also appeared in a cameo in Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, the first Malayalam film to earn over Rs 300 crore.
His most recent appearance was in Bha Bha, starring Dileep, Mohanlal and Vineeth Sreenivasan.
The 34-year-old Balu Varghese is married and has a son.
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(Edited by R Rajesh Kumar.)
