By Editor
When the whole country is under fire following the Kolkata’s incident, the Malayalam film industry is once again under intense scrutiny as actor Baburaj, known for his prominent villainous roles, has been accused of sexual assault by a junior artiste. The accusation is the latest in a series of allegations that have emerged from the industry, painting a troubling picture of unsafe working conditions for women in Mollywood.
The junior artiste, whose identity has not been disclosed, alleged that Baburaj assaulted her at his residence in Aluva, Ernakulam district of Kerala. According to her account, she was invited to Baburaj’s home under the pretext of discussing a film project. However, upon arriving, she discovered that only Baburaj and his assistant were present, despite being told that a director, scriptwriter, and production controller would be there as well.
The woman recounted the harrowing experience to media outlets, stating that Baburaj offered her a room to rest in. “He gave me a room. Later, he invited me for food. When I opened the door, he entered the room and locked it from inside. He started talking vulgarly and led me to the cot and raped me,” she alleged in an interview with the media.
In response, Baburaj has vehemently denied the allegations, suggesting that they are part of a broader conspiracy to prevent him from succeeding Siddique as the general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). Siddique had resigned from the position on Sunday amid similar allegations of sexual misconduct, and Baburaj believes that “vested interests” in the industry are behind the accusations against him.
The allegations come at a time when the Malayalam film industry is already facing significant backlash following the Justice Hema Committee report, which exposed widespread sexual, physical, and verbal harassment faced by women in the industry. The report has triggered a wave of #MeToo accusations, with several female actors stepping forward with their own stories of abuse and mistreatment.
Actress Minu Muneer recently accused multiple high-profile actors, including MLA M Mukesh, Jayasurya, Maniyanpilla Raju, and Idavela Babu, of sexual abuse. Additionally, director Ranjith resigned from his position as Chairperson of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy after Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra accused him of misconduct.
The allegations have ignited a fierce debate within Kerala’s cultural and political circles, with calls for greater accountability and protection for women in the industry. As the #MeToo movement gains momentum in Mollywood, the film industry’s dark underbelly is being exposed, leading to increased scrutiny and demands for systemic change.
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