Kerala Film Producers Association Complain Of Rise In Fake Sexual Harassment Cases

The Hema Committee report has exposed the dark side of the Malayalam film industry, with cases of misuse of power and sexual harassment coming to fore. Many artists have openly spoken up about the harassment they have faced at the hands of influential personalities in the industry ever since the report was made public. Now, Kerala Film Producers Association voiced their concern regarding the rising number of fake sexual harassment complaints being raised against noted film personalities. They expressed dismay and shock in an official statement. The association said blackmailing under the guise of complaints should be taken seriously. Fake complaints defeat the very purpose of the Hema Committee report, according to the association. The Kerala Producers Association also demanded immediate attention of the government in the matter. After the release of the Hema Committee report, harassment complaints against filmmakers have risen to 20, with actor Nivin Pauly responding to an accusation.

A woman accused Nivin of molesting her abroad, prompting him to address the allegations through social media and a press conference. Nivin denied the accusations, stating that he had never met the woman and labelling the complaint as false. He provided an alibi, revealing that in 2023, he was on the sets of Vineeth Srinivasan’s film Varshangalkku Shesham during the time the alleged incident in the Gulf was said to have occurred. To support his claim, the film’s producer released records of Nivin’s stay and check-out at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Kochi. Both Vineeth Srinivasan and actor Bhagat Manuel confirmed that Nivin was with them on the day in question, suggesting that the case may take a new direction.

On Thursday, the Kerala High Court established a Special Bench comprising Justice AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice CS Sudha to hear public interest litigations (PILs) filed in response to the publication of the Hema Committee report, which addresses the challenges faced by women working in the Malayalam film industry.