From the times of PK Rosy to now, women in Mollywood have been fighting all kinds of sexual exploitations in an industry that is entrenched in patriarchy. Here's a look at the suspicious deaths of celebrated women actors who had at least hinted at sexual harassment.
Published Sep 07, 2024 | 6:00 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 08, 2024 | 6:54 PM
From the times of PK Rosy, a look at women actors who fought Me Too in Mollywood
The ‘Me Too’ movement in the Malayalam film industry marks a crucial uprising against the entrenched patriarchy that has long silenced women. Amidst this revolution, lives have been transformed, highlighting both courage and sacrifice that embodies the fight. Decades before the current wave of voices, Malayalam cinema’s first actor, PK Rosy, embodied resilience. In the early 20th century, she broke social barriers but paid a steep price for her pioneering role.
The world came to know PK Rosy when Google honoured her with a doodle on 10 February 2023, marking her 120th birth anniversary. Rosy’s groundbreaking role in the Malayalam film Vigathakumaran (The Lost Child), directed by JC Daniel, defied the societal norms of her time.
As the first Dalit Christian woman to portray a Nair character, Rosy’s on-screen presence challenged caste and gender barriers, provoking outrage among Nair community members. The film’s release was met with hostility, particularly after a scene where Rosy’s character kissed a flower in her hair, which incited the audience to pelt stones at the screen.
PK Rosy was the first Dalit Christian woman to portray a Nair character in Mollywood.
Following the backlash, forced to leave Kerala, Rosy escaped in a lorry bound for Tamil Nadu, where she married the lorry driver, Kesavan Pillai, and adopted the name Rajammal. Rosy lived the rest of her life in Tamil Nadu, her children unaware of their mother’s brief but significant stardom, knowing only that she had been a theatre artist, as noted by film historians.
Over the years, many women have ventured into the world of cinema, drawn by the allure of fame and creative expression. However, while many entered with dreams, only a few managed to survive the relentless grind and harsh realities that often went unnoticed by the public.
In 2018, the Malayalam cinema industry faced a watershed moment when veteran actor KPAC Lalitha made a shocking revelation, shedding light on the darker side of the industry.
Lalitha’s candid statement exposed the struggles faced by women in the industry, highlighting issues of exploitation, marginalisation, and the systemic challenges that made it difficult for many to sustain their careers. Her words resonated deeply, echoing the hidden truths about the barriers that women had to endure to carve a place for themselves in a male-dominated space.
During the height of the ‘Me Too’ movement in 2018, veteran actress KPAC Lalitha spoke candidly about the long-standing male dominance and exploitation of women in the Malayalam film industry, which predated the emergence of such movements and the formation of collectives.
In an interview with a news channel, she shared a disturbing experience involving comedian Adoor Bhasi, highlighting the impact of his influence on her career. Lalitha recounted losing roles in several films because she refused to comply with Bhasi’s demands.
Veteran actor Lalitha, who spoke about instances of abuses during the height of ‘Me Too’ movement in 2018
“He wielded significant power in the industry, even more than actor Nazir,” she recalled. “I was told that opportunities would come my way only if I lived according to Bhasi’s wishes. When I refused, he hurled abusive words at me.” Lalitha further revealed that her attempts to lodge a complaint were dismissed, with actor Ummer, then secretary of the Chalachitra Parikshatth, scolding her instead.
Actor Mukesh and Alencier were accused of sexual abuse and in 2021, Malayalam rapper Vedan also faced similar allegations. In the same year, there were accusations against YouTuber Sreekanth Vettiyar, Kochi-based tattoo artist Sujeesh PS and director Liju Krishna, with several women revealing that they were raped by them. Police have registered cases, and investigations are ongoing.
A police officer from Kochi, speaking on condition of anonymity, told South First that during the height of the ‘MeToo’ wave, several FIRs were registered. However, the investigations were not pursued in full due to the involvement of high-profile individuals and a lack of follow-up from the complainants. It was only after the Justice Hema Committee report that some of the ‘MeToo’ allegations were transferred to the Special Investigation Team (SIT), with a few cases dating back to the initial wave of the movement.
In 2018, actor and MLA Mukesh faced allegations from casting director Tess Joseph, who claimed he harassed her via phone during the filming of the ‘Kodiswaran’ show 19 years prior. Mukesh denied these allegations, stating he has no recollection of such an incident.
Following the release of the Hema Committee report, Tess’s accusations have garnered renewed media attention, and the case is now under investigation by the SIT.
Actress Amala Paul has lodged a police complaint against a businessman, alleging mistreatment during a dance training session in February 2018. According to the complaint, the businessman made inappropriate sexual innuendos towards her. Amala Paul has urged women to speak out against such experiences rather than ignore them. She also thanked actor Vishal, the president of the Tamil Nadu Producers Council, for his support in addressing the issue.
In 2018, actor Divya Gopinath accused Alencier of sexual misconduct.
Additionally, actor Alencier has been embroiled in a ‘MeToo’ controversy since 2018. Actor Divya Gopinath accused Alencier of misconduct, and while Alencier admitted to some inappropriate behavior under the influence of alcohol and apologised, he disputes the full extent of Divya’s claims.
At the time, Divya reported the incident to AMMA but felt unsupported, stating, “I am pleased that AMMA members are now speaking out, but back then, I received no support from them. I lost my career opportunities, while the accused continues to thrive in the industry. Despite coming forward in 2018, the industry still seems unchanged in 2024. But the fight will continue.”
Tamil and Malayalam actor Vinayakan has faced backlash in 2022 for controversial remarks made at a public event. During a promotional appearance for his film Oruthee directed by VK Prakash, which stars Navya Nair, Vinayakan reportedly made disparaging comments about the ‘MeToo’ movement.
He claimed ignorance about the movement’s meaning, suggesting it was about seeking consent for sex, and indicated he would persist in his behavior. Additionally, his inappropriate remarks towards a female journalist further incensed his fans. A complaint has been filed against the actor in response to these statements.
Over a week ago, Kerala Police initiated legal action against director VK Prakash following a sexual assault allegation made by a female scriptwriter. The Kollam Pallithottam Police have charged Prakash under Section 354 (1) of the Indian Penal Code, which addresses the use of criminal force to insult a woman’s modesty. This charge was filed after the police recorded the confidential statement of the complainant.
In November 2018, actress Shobana posted a ‘MeToo’ poster on her social media handle. However, the post was widely misinterpreted, leading to significant cyberbullying. In response, Shobana removed the original post and later issued a clarification. She stated, “I support #MeToo because it offers a platform for survivors of sexual harassment to share their experiences. Movements like these are crucial for creating safer and more supportive workplaces for women.”
Vijayasree, often referred to as the Marilyn Monroe of Mollywood, died by suicide at the young age of 21 in 1974.
Vijayasree, often referred to as the Marilyn Monroe of the Malayalam film industry, tragically died by suicide at the young age of 21 in 1974. Despite the years that have passed, the circumstances surrounding her death remain shrouded in mystery. Was it suicide or was there something more sinister at play? The unanswered questions about Vijayasree’s untimely demise continue to intrigue and haunt even today.
KG George’s film Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback is a poignant exploration of the life and untimely death of actor Shobha. Shobha, a luminous star who departed at just 17 in 1980, is depicted through the lens of the film’s narrative. It is widely speculated that her tragic demise was intertwined with a tumultuous relationship with the acclaimed director Balu Mahendra, casting a somber shadow over her brief but impactful life.
Shobha was a luminous star who departed at just 17 in 1980.
The film Thirakatha, which poignantly portrays the tragic life of actor Srividya, a role brought to life by Priyamani, was directed by Ranjith. This film captures Srividya’s struggles and exploitation in the industry. However, Ranjith, who was once celebrated for his cinematic achievements, now faces serious allegations of sexual harassment. An FIR has been filed against him by the police, marking a troubling turn in his career.
On 23 September, 1996, the iconic actor ‘Silk’ Smitha was discovered lifeless in her apartment, accompanied by a poignant suicide note. Just the night before, she had confided in a close friend, expressing that something deeply troubling was weighing on her mind. The post-mortem revealed excessive alcohol in her system, yet the circumstances surrounding her death continue to be shrouded in mystery.
In July 2022, a purported note, allegedly penned by the actor before her tragic end surfaced on social media, casting veiled accusations towards certain figures in the Malayalam film industry, adding further intrigue to her untimely demise.
(Edited by Neena)
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