August 25th 2024.
The film industry in Kochi was thrown into turmoil after the explosive findings of the Justice K Hema Committee were revealed. The report exposed the widespread harassment and abuse of women professionals, sending shockwaves through the Malayalam cinema world. As a result, two high-profile resignations were witnessed on Sunday, including that of director Ranjith who stepped down as the chairman of a state-run film academy.
Amid mounting political pressure, actor Siddique also announced his resignation as the general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists. Many voices from within the industry had been calling for his resignation following allegations of sexual assault made by a female actor on August 24th.
Ranjith, a renowned filmmaker, had been facing criticism after a Bengali actor accused him of misconduct several years ago. However, the issue gained widespread attention after the Hema Committee report was released. In light of this, Ranjith made the decision to step down from his position as the head of the government-run Kerala Chalachitra Academy and shared this news through an audio clip sent to a television channel.
He explained that he didn't want to continue in the role as it would harm the reputation of the Left government in the state. He also stated that he would be taking legal action to defend himself against the accusations made against him. "Since the day I took on this role, I have been targeted by a certain group of people. I need to prove to society that these allegations are false. I have decided to fight back legally and reveal the truth," he said in the audio clip.
Ranjith also addressed the fact that many people, including the media, were attacking him without understanding the full story. In light of this, he felt it was best to step down from his position. The Bengali actor had accused the award-winning filmmaker of inappropriate behavior during a film shoot, but Ranjith has denied these allegations and claims to be the "real victim" in this situation.
Upon hearing of Ranjith's resignation, Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cheriyan stated that the government would accept it as soon as it was officially submitted. He also reiterated the government's commitment to standing with victims of sexual assault and abuse, emphasizing that strict action would be taken against those who are found guilty.
In the midst of all this, Siddique, a senior actor and the general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, also announced his resignation. He explained that due to the allegations made against him, he did not feel it was appropriate to continue in his role and had sent his resignation letter to the organization's president, Mohanlal.
A female actor had come forward with allegations of sexual abuse against Siddique, leading to widespread condemnation and calls for his resignation. Members of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists welcomed his decision to step down, with some even sending emails to Mohanlal urging him to take action.
Siddique's resignation was seen as a moral and ethical move by many in the industry. Actress Mala Parvathy praised his decision, saying that it was the right thing to do in light of the seriousness of the allegations made against him. Director Ranjith, on the other hand, was forced to resign due to intense protests against him and the state government. In fact, BJP activists even marched to his residence in Kozhikode demanding his resignation.
The resignations of both Ranjith and Siddique have sent shockwaves through the Malayalam film industry. It remains to be seen how this will impact the industry in the days to come.
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