Mollywood’s #MeToo Movement: 17 Sexual Assault Cases Emerge After Justice Hema Committee Report

**Kochi —** The Malayalam film industry, also known as Mollywood, is currently reeling from a wave of sexual assault allegations following the release of the Justice Hema Committee report. The committee's findings, which have prompted a significant backlash, reveal 17 new cases of sexual harassment and assault within the industry.

**Dissolution of AMMA and Flood of Allegations**

The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) was dissolved on Tuesday in response to the 235-page redacted report by the Justice Hema Committee, which was made public last week. The report, initially filed in 2019, has led to intense scrutiny and numerous accusations against prominent figures in Mollywood. AMMA cited the serious allegations against some of its members as the reason for its dissolution.

**Notable Allegations and Responses**

Among the reported cases, actress Sonia Malhar has accused an unnamed actor of molestation on a film set in 2013. The Kerala government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe these allegations. Malhar has urged the public to avoid speculating about the identities of the accused, particularly mentioning that actor Jayasurya should not be implicated in her case.

Actress Minu Muneer has also come forward with serious allegations, accusing several industry figures, including M Mukesh, Jayasurya, Maniyanpilla Raju, and Idavela Babu, of harassment. Muneer described an instance where AMMA secretary Idavela Babu invited her under false pretenses and then physically abused her. She also recounted an unsettling encounter with Jayasurya, who she claims kissed her without consent and offered her work in exchange for compliance.

Muneer further alleged that Mukesh, now a CPM MLA, denied her AMMA membership after she rejected his advances. Mukesh has denied these allegations, suggesting instead that Muneer attempted to blackmail him.

**Industry-Wide Concerns**

Bengali film actress Sreelekha Mitra has added her voice to the growing list of accusations, alleging that director Ranjith molested her. Mitra described the harassment of women in the industry as an "open secret," criticizing the normalization of such behavior within the industry.

The Justice Hema Committee report has exposed a "power nexus" within the Malayalam film industry, implicating a network of producers, directors, actors, and production controllers. The committee was originally set up in 2017 by the Kerala government following a high-profile sexual assault case involving actor Dileep.

**Government Response and Future Steps**

In response to the report, the Kerala Women’s Commission has announced plans to implement grievance redressal committees on film sets, in line with the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act. These steps aim to address the systemic issues revealed by the committee and provide a framework for addressing future complaints.

As Mollywood grapples with these revelations, the focus now shifts to ensuring accountability and creating a safer environment for women in the industry.