Actor Siddique approached the Kerala High Court on Monday, seeking anticipatory bail in a rape case filed against him. This legal action follows the ongoing 'Me Too' movement, which has significantly impacted the Malayalam film industry. The case was initiated after the Thiruvananthapuram police registered a first information report based on a complaint from a female actor.
Earlier this week, Siddique resigned as the general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), along with the entire 17-member executive committee, in response to serious allegations of sexual abuse against several women actors involving prominent figures in Malayalam cinema, including director Ranjith and actors Siddique and Mukesh. Other actors such as Mukesh, Jayasurya, Edavela Babu, Maniyanpilla Raju, and director Ranjith have also been implicated in sexual assault cases.
These allegations surfaced following the release of the Justice Hema Committee report, which revealed shocking details of crimes against women in the industry. The report, made public on August 19 after redaction of names, highlighted the dominance of about 10 to 15 male producers, directors, and actors who control the Malayalam film industry.
