A number of well-known film actors and directors in India's southern state of Kerala are currently under investigation by the police for allegations of sexual assault and harassment, adding to the growing national outrage over violence against women.
These accusations have surfaced amid widespread protests by doctors across the country, who are demonstrating against the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, leading to hospital strikes and widespread anger on social media.
The Kerala police initiated their investigation following complaints from female actors accusing their male counterparts of sexual harassment and abuse. This development came shortly after a government-appointed panel reported on instances of sexual harassment and discrimination within the Malayalam film industry, based in Kerala.
According to Kerala's south zone police inspector-general, Sparjan Kumar, nine complaints have been filed against various members of Kerala's film industry, including a director and seasoned actors. Kumar, who leads a special seven-member police team investigating these allegations, stated that they have received 16 complaints from women in the film industry and are currently examining all of them and taking necessary follow-up actions.
India's southern states, including Kerala, boast thriving local language film industries, distinct from the Hindi-centric Bollywood, and are supported by many local patrons. Both Bollywood and these regional film industries have faced similar accusations of sexual assault and harassment in the past, with minimal consequences.
