New Delhi:

Actor Sonia Malhar, who filed a sexual harassment case against fellow Malayalam actor Jayasurya, today said she will not back down despite the accused calling the allegations ‘false’ and threatening legal actions.

“He (Jayasurya) is calling the allegation false. It is not a false allegation. My statement is very true and very clear. This is the 1st FIR I have ever filed in my life,” the actor told NDTV in an exclusive interview.

Ms Malhar is one of many women actors who have spoken up after the Justice Hema Committee report revealed the dark underbelly of the Malayalam film industry, where sexual abuse and exploitation have been rampant for decades.

Jayasurya, who is facing another #MeToo case, today denied all the allegations against him and threatened legal action against those naming him.  

“A lie always travels faster than the truth but I believe truth will prevail. All the legal proceedings to prove my innocence will continue,” he said in an Instagram post today.

Sonia Malhar said that when the Hema Committee report came out, she had narrated her ordeal on a news channel but did not name the harasser. But she had to mention Jayasurya’s name after several rumours started circulating on social media.  

“The issue blew up on social media, and people claimed I had taken a bribe – so I had to take Jayasurya’s name to save my dignity,” Ms Malhar told NDTV.

“I revealed the face of that hero because otherwise it would cause loss of my dignity also. If I close the case, that is not good for me,” she added.

The actor also asserted that she will not back down and continue her fight for justice.

The MeToo movement gained momentum in the Malayalam film industry following the release of the Justice Hema Committee report, which exposed widespread allegations of sexual harassment. The comprehensive 235-page report, released with the names of witnesses and accused redacted, sheds light on the industry’s power dynamics, revealing that a small group of 10-15 influential male producers, directors, and actors wield significant control over the Malayalam film industry.

Amid the outrage it provoked, Mohanlal, a well-known actor and president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, resigned alongside other top officials. AMMA said the administrative panel has resigned, taking moral responsibility for the allegations.

New Delhi:

Denying the sexual harassment allegations against him, actor Jayasurya today said that he would take legal action. The case is among the avalanche of sexual assault and rape allegations against some of Mollywood’s biggest names, including veteran actor Siddique and filmmaker Ranjith Balakrishnan.

Two actors have filed cases against Jayasurya, both of which the actor claimed are false.

“I have decided to move forward with this legally. My legal team will be looking after the rest of the proceedings regarding this case. False allegations are easy to make for anyone who lacks a conscience. I only hope one realises that facing a false accusation of harassment is just as painful as the harassment itself,” Jayasurya said in an Instagram post.

“A lie always travels faster than the truth but I believe truth will prevail. All the legal proceedings to prove my innocence will continue. I have complete faith in our judicial system. Thank you to those who contributed to making this birthday the most painful one,” he added.

The MeToo storm in the Malayalam film industry started after the report by Justice Hema Committee, which details allegations of sexual harassment by women in the industry, was made public. The 235-page report, published after redacting names of witnesses and the accused, notes that the Malayalam film industry is controlled by 10-15 male producers, directors, and actors.

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Actor Minu Muneer has accused Jayasurya and M Mukesh of sexual harassment during the shooting of a movie in 2013.

Speaking to NDTV, the actor shared her harrowing ordeal. “I had a bitter experience while shooting for a film. I had gone to the toilet and when I came out, Jayasurya hugged me from behind and kissed me without my consent. I was shocked and I ran out,” she said, adding that the actor offered her more work if she was willing to be with him.