In the wake of the Justice Hema Committee report being released to the public, numerous allegations of sexual abuse and harassment have emerged against prominent figures in Malayalam cinema. Among the most notable is the accusation by actress Minu Muneer, who has alleged that actor and CPI (M) MLA Mukesh misbehaved with her and harassed her when she sought his help in joining the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA). Mukesh has strongly denied the allegations, countering with claims that he is being “blackmailed” by Minu.
Taking to Facebook, Mukesh addressed the accusations, stating, “The truth needs to come out. I’ll face it legally, and I welcome investigations into the allegations against filmmakers, including myself.” He expressed his resolve to handle the matter through legal channels and insisted that he has been the target of extortion attempts.
Minu, in an earlier interview, claimed that Mukesh had sought sexual favours in exchange for his assistance with her AMMA application. Mukesh, however, dismissed her allegations as part of a political conspiracy, pointing out that similar accusations were made against him in 2018. He recounted their first meeting in 2009, saying, “She introduced herself as Minu Kurian, a cinema aspirant, and met me with a photo album of hers. As is usual when someone seeks opportunities, I said I’ll try my best. Later, they even sent a message thanking me for my polite behaviour. At no point during the meeting did she express any discomfort or displeasure with my conduct.”
Mukesh further alleged that in 2022, Minu, now using the name Minu Muneer, approached him again, this time requesting substantial financial assistance. “She sent a WhatsApp message asking for at least Rs 1 lakh. I also received another message that people from a particular community had been asked to intervene since I didn’t pay the money,” Mukesh shared. He added that he later received another message from someone claiming to be her husband, demanding a large sum of money. “This gang has been constantly blackmailing me for money and is now turning against me as they see an opportunity. I am revealing this based on the evidence I have regarding the messages they sent me. I am not one to conspire to harm someone’s personality or dignity. But I am not ready to succumb to blackmail tactics either.”
The fallout from the Hema Committee report has been significant, leading to the resignation of AMMA chief Mohanlal and the entire executive committee. In a statement, the committee said, “Following the release of the Hema Committee report and the subsequent sexual allegations faced by certain office bearers within the executive committee of AMMA, the current executive committee of AMMA, taking into consideration its moral responsibility, is stepping down.”
Disclaimer: In accordance with legal and ethical guidelines, we generally refrain from naming victims in cases of sexual harassment or assault. The inclusion of the name in this article is based on the fact that the individual has publicly identified themselves in connection with the case. We respect the privacy and dignity of all individuals involved and urge readers to approach the matter with sensitivity.
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