The Malayalam film industry is reeling from a wave of new sexual assault allegations following the release of the Hema Committee report. The report, which highlighted widespread sexual exploitation, discrimination, and other abuses within the industry, has emboldened more women to come forward with their harrowing experiences. So far, police have registered 17 cases in connection with these allegations, with more complaints expected to emerge as the investigation deepens.
One of the latest complaints has been filed by actress Sonia Malhar, who has played supporting roles in several Malayalam films. In her complaint, Sonia revealed that she was groped by a prominent actor on a film set in Thodupuzha in 2013. Speaking about the incident, Sonia recounted her ordeal, saying, “My first experience was at a movie location in Thodupuzha in 2013. A hero (actor) misbehaved with me. I was a little scared, I was crying and suddenly he apologised, and after that, we were just friends.”
Sonia went on to explain that this was not an isolated incident. Over the past 11 years in the movie industry, she has faced numerous challenges, including sexual harassment and verbal abuse. “My subordinates, friends, and other women are also facing the same issues like sexual harassment, verbal abuse, and if we are ready to sleep with someone… Due to all of this, I lost a lot of chances in the movie industry,” she shared. Sonia’s refusal to compromise her principles for roles has led her to step back from mainstream films, focusing instead on art movies, where she has played leading roles in eight projects.
However, Sonia has not remained silent about these abuses. She recently filed a complaint with the special investigation team, providing them with the exact details of the actor involved, the location, and the date of the incident. While she has not yet publicly disclosed the name of the actor, she hinted that she might reveal it to the media within the next two days. “My family members have not agreed to reveal the name yet, but maybe I will reveal the name in the media soon,” she stated. However, on Tuesday, she appealed to the media and public to stop linking actor Jayasurya to her allegations.
The ongoing investigation is expected to shed more light on these disturbing allegations and may serve as a turning point in the fight for justice for women in cinema.
(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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