Kerala actor accused of sexual assault, claims blackmail

Thiruvananthapuram:

Malayalam actor and CPIM MP M Mukesh – one of many film stars from Kerala who have been accused of sexual harassment following the release of the Justice Committee Hema report – hit back on Tuesday, saying he was “blackmailed” by his accuser, fellow actress Minu Muneer, and her husband. “The truth must come out… I welcome investigations into the allegations against filmmakers, including myself,” he said on Facebook.

Ms Munner told NDTV on Monday that Mr Mukesh and another well-known actor, Jayasurya, physically and verbally abused her on the sets of a film in 2013. Mukesh, she also said, made unwanted advances when she asked him for help in joining an organisation for Malayalam film actors called AMMA. “There is a lot of exploitation in this industry. I am a witness and a victim. When I moved to Chennai, no one contacted me and asked what happened…” she told NDTV.

He called for a “transparent investigation… to uncover the true nature of the allegations being discussed in public” and claimed that Ms Muneer first approached him in 2009 and then in 2022, demanding “at least Rs 100,000”, after which her husband then demanded “a huge sum of money”.

READ | “Hugs, kisses”: Malayalam actor talks about sexual abuse at NDTV

“In 2009, a woman named 'Meenu Kurien' introduced herself as someone looking for film roles… She contacted me by phone and came to my house with photographs,” the CPIM leader said.

“When she said she needed help finding opportunities (in film) … I said I would try it.”

“Later she messaged me about my polite behaviour…at no point during the meeting did she point out any faults in my behaviour or express her displeasure…” Mukesh wrote in Malayalam.

He said the woman contacted him again in 2022 and said her name was Minu Muneer.

“They (Mrs Muneer and her husband) asked me for financial help. When I expressed my helplessness, (they said) Rs 100,000 would be enough. She sent a WhatsApp message asking for that amount.”

READ | ‘Hope for justice…’: Young actor from Kerala claims to have been raped by actor Baburaj

Mukesh also said he received a second message in which Ms Muneer informed him that “people from a particular community had been asked to intervene” as he had not paid the money.

“A few days later, another person called claiming to be her husband and demanded a huge sum of money. This gang is constantly blackmailing me for money…” he said, accusing Ms Muneer of making sexual harassment allegations to capitalise on the sympathy generated by the Hema committee report.

“I am disclosing this on the basis of evidence related to the messages they sent me. I am not the type to conspire to hurt someone's personality or dignity…” Mukesh said. “But I am not ready to give in to blackmail tactics. The facts must come out against those who are laying traps to ruin the lives of others.”

Amid a barrage of sexual harassment allegations, veteran actor Mohanlal today resigned as chairman of AMMA. The board of directors also resigned.

READ | Mohanlal resigns as chairman of Malayalam Film Association amid MeToo storm

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is under close scrutiny and has announced the setting up of a seven-member commission of inquiry to investigate all allegations of sexual harassment.

This, however, did not stop the avalanche of political attacks from the opposition BJP and the Congress-led United Democratic Front, demanding accountability from the state government, especially in light of allegations that it tried to keep the report under wraps to protect senior players.

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