Cochin- The Malayalam film industry is currently facing an unprecedented wave of sexual harassment allegations against prominent actors. This week, veteran actors Mukesh, also a sitting MLA, and Siddique, who recently resigned as the general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), are at the center of the controversy, grappling with serious charges linked to the #MeToo movement.

On Tuesday, actor and Kollam MLA Mukesh was formally arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in connection with a sexual harassment case. The arrest, which followed an earlier grant of anticipatory bail, was conducted at the Coastal Police Headquarters in Ernakulam by a team led by AIG G Poonkuzhali. Mukesh was briefly detained before being released on bail, adhering to court conditions that required him to appear before the investigating officer to complete procedural formalities.

The case against Mukesh stems from allegations by a woman who accused him of intruding into her hotel room and misbehaving with her. Registered at the Maradu Police Station in Kochi, the complaint has drawn significant public attention, especially after the complainant expressed her satisfaction with the ongoing legal proceedings.

While the opposition has called for Mukesh’s removal from office, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) continues to back the MLA, maintaining support despite growing public pressure.

Adding to Mukesh’s woes, another complaint has been filed by a female colleague in Wadakkancherry, intensifying legal troubles for the veteran actor-turned-politician.

Siddique Absconding After Denied Bail

Meanwhile, actor Siddique is now on the run after the Kerala High Court denied him anticipatory bail in a separate sexual harassment case. The charges against Siddique, which involve rape, were brought forward by a former actress who accused him of assaulting her at a state-owned hotel in Thiruvananthapuram in 2016. A lookout circular has been issued, and Kerala Police are intensifying efforts to trace his whereabouts.

The complainant alleged that Siddique coerced her into offering sexual favours in exchange for a role in a Tamil film and, when she refused, he raped her. The actress initially refrained from reporting the incident but decided to speak up following the release of the Hema Committee report last month. This explosive report revealed systemic abuse and harassment faced by women in the Malayalam film industry, leading to a series of new accusations against prominent figures.

Siddique, who was elected general secretary of AMMA earlier this year, resigned from his post after the allegations surfaced, prompting the entire committee, chaired by actor Mohanlal, to step down in solidarity. While Siddique has categorically denied the accusations, claiming the actress had been harassing him on social media since 2019, the case has only gained momentum after the Hema Committee report brought these systemic issues into public view.

A Troubled Industry

The Malayalam film industry is reeling from the fallout of the Hema Committee report, which has emboldened several women to come forward with stories of exploitation. Since its release, 11 First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered against high-profile figures, including actors, directors, and producers.

Siddique’s case is just the latest in a growing list of allegations involving veteran actors such as Nivin Pauly, Jayasurya, Edavela Babu, and Maniyanpilla Raju, as well as directors Ranjith and Prakash. Actor and MLA Mukesh’s arrest only adds to the mounting scrutiny.

Despite the legal battles, many of the accused continue to deny the charges, framing the allegations as attempts to tarnish their reputations. Yet, the momentum of the #MeToo movement in Kerala's film industry appears to be gaining strength, as calls for justice and accountability continue to grow louder.

As more cases come to light, the once-venerated stars of Malayalam cinema find themselves in an unfamiliar position—facing both legal and public challenges that are reshaping the narrative of power and accountability in the industry.