'Attacked, Told To Adjust, Lost 28 Films': Malayalam Actor Charmila Recounts Sexual Harassment Amid #MeToo Row

Even as the Hema Committee report puts the spotlight on toxic male dominance and blatant sexual harassment plaguing the Malayalam film industry, actor Charmila accused a film producer of allegedly sexually assaulting her around 27 years ago.

Speaking exclusively to CNN-News 18, Charmila said: “I had a traumatic experience in the Malayalam film industry. It was during the shoot of ‘Arjunan Pillayum Anchu Makkalum’. We had to shoot a song in Pollachi in Tamil Nadu. After the three-day shoot wrapped up, the production manager asked me to meet the producer before leaving. I asked my assistants to come along as I don’t go alone anywhere."

She said the manager stopped the assistants from coming along. “However, I took my assistants along," she said.

“When I went into the producer’s room, seven to eight of them drinking. One of them pounced on my assistant, trying to take her saree off and the other moved towards me. My male assistant tried to stop him, and he was beaten," she said.

“Meanwhile, another guy grabbed my hand. I bit him and ran outside the hotel and asked for help. A group of autorickshaw guys came to my rescue. With their help, I called my father who reached out to Kalaignar’s wife Rajathi Ammal and the police arrived," she narrated.

Charmila said she has lost 28 films because she didn’t want to “adjust", the code word for meeting demands for sex in return for continued film offers.

She said: “Malayalam director Hariharan met me along with actor Vishnu. We had coffee, discussed the script and he (Hariharan) sent me off in nice way. Later, he called Vishnu and asked him to tell me to “adjust". Vishnu told Hariharan that I wont “adjust" and both of us lost the movie offer."

Charmila says the Tamil film industry is better and the Nadigar Sangam is more active and provides a safe environment for women artistes. “In my experience, the Tamil industry is better and the Nadigar Sangam is willing to do their best and protect actresses," she said.

Disclaimer: As per 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 sensitively.