Malayalam Actor Minu Muneer Accuses Multiple Co-Stars Of Sexual Misconduct

The second wave of the #MeToo movement has struck the Malayalam film industry following the release of the Hema Committee report, bringing further allegations of sexual misconduct to light. Just one day after Kerala State Chalachitra Academy chairman Ranjith and the general secretary of the actors’ association Siddique were compelled to resign, actress Minu Muneer has accused several actors, including a two-time CPI(M) legislator in the Kerala Assembly, of both physical and verbal assault.

Malayalam Actor Minu Muneer Accuses Multiple Stars Of ‘Sexual Misconduct’

On August 26, 2024, Malayalam film actor Minu Muneer accused well-known stars M Mukesh and Jayasurya of sexual harassment amid the fallout from the Justice K Hema Committee's disturbing findings on harassment and abuse in the industry. These allegations emerged just a day after director Ranjith and actor Siddique resigned from their positions in the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) following similar accusations.

In a Facebook post, Muneer claimed that four actors, Mukesh, Maniyanpilla Raju, Idavela Babu, and Jayasurya subjected her to physical and verbal abuse during the filming of a 2013 movie. She described the abuse as so severe that it forced her to leave the Malayalam film industry and move to Chennai. Muneer had previously spoken out in a newspaper article but saw little resolution at the time. Now, she is seeking justice and accountability for the suffering she endured, and has called for action against the accused.

The post garnered significant attention, with many expressing shock and others supporting her bravery in coming forward. The accused, Mukesh, Maniyanpilla Raju, Idavela Babu, and Jayasurya are prominent figures in Malayalam cinema, though none have yet responded to the allegations.

"I had a distressing experience while filming. I went to the toilet, and when I came out, Jayasurya hugged me from behind and kissed me without my consent. I was shocked and ran out," Minu Muneer recounted, as reported by NDTV. She added that the actor later offered her more work if she was willing to be with him.

In another incident, she approached Idavela Babu, the secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), to apply for membership. According to her, he invited her to his flat under the pretence of processing the application, where he physically abused her.

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Muneer also claimed that actor Mukesh, a sitting MLA of the ruling CPI(M), denied her membership in the association after she refused his advances. These allegations were highlighted in her interview with NDTV.

What Is Justice Hema Committee Report?

The three-member Justice Hema Committee, established in 2017, released its report on August 19, 2024, uncovering horrifying accounts of discrimination, exploitation, and sexual harassment faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. The Hema Commission’s newly released findings have laid bare some shocking truths about an industry renowned for its unique and socially relevant storytelling. The report also exposes the toxicity within the industry, highlighting how individuals in positions of power have been using their influence to exploit women aspiring to make their mark in cinema.

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