Senior actor Siddique and ace filmmaker Ranjith were accused of sexual misconduct.
Senior actor Siddique and ace filmmaker Ranjith were accused of sexual misconduct

Ranjith, Siddique Bow To Pressure; Probe Ordered
THE TIMES OF INDIA (August 26, 2024)

Thiruvananthapuram/Kochi: The Malayalam film industry, which was rocked by the Justice K Hema Committee’s explosive report on sexual abuse and exploitation of women professionals over the past week, witnessed two high-profile resignations on Sunday. Filmmaker Ranjith stepped down as chairman of the state-run Kerala Chalachitra Academy while actor Siddique resigned as general secretary of AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists).

Besides public outcry and political pressure, there was also a growing demand for their resignation from within the film fraternity. A Bengali actress had come up with allegations of misbehaviour against Ranjith on Friday and pressure was building up for his resignation over the past two days. The actor had alleged that the filmmaker misbehaved with her during an audition for 2009 movie ‘Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha’.

Various revelations of sexual assaults and demands made over the past two days have brought in a palpable change in the govt’s response. It had earlier maintained that those affected should come forward to file complaints so that the charges can be probed. However, on Sunday, it constituted an investigation team, which will be contacting those reportedly affected in the industry and going ahead with an investigation if they cooperated with it.

Culture minister Saji Cherian said the govt had not sought Ranjith’s resignation, but sources said the final decision on whether he should continue in the post or not came from chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the message was communicated to him.

CPI had openly demanded his resignation while CPM found it difficult to protect him. The opposition Congress and BJP had already demanded his resignation. BJP activists took out a protest march to his residence in Kozhikode on Sunday morning while Congress demanded that a case should be registered against him and a proper investigation carried out.

In an audio clip released to media, Ranjith however termed the allegations as an organized attack against the LDF govt and said he would fight legally to prove them wrong. “I am not ready to continue in the post of academy chairman as it would adversely impact the reputation of the LDF govt,” he said.

Siddique, meanwhile, resigned over the rape allegation levelled against him by a young actor.
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BOMBAY TIMES (August 26, 2024)

Mollywood director, actor Siddique on Sunday resigned as the general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) following sexual assault allegations raised by a woman actor on August 24.

“Yes. I have tendered my official resignation to the president of the organization, Mohanlal. Since there were allegations against me, I have decided not to continue in the post and resigned,” Siddique said.

The allegations came in the wake of the churn in the Malayalam film industry following the release of Justice Hema Committee report, which pointed towards numerous incidents of casting couch and sexual abuse in the field.