The Malayalam film industry, often referred to as Mollywood, is once again in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Following the shocking revelations from the Justice Hema Committee report, which exposed deep-seated issues of sexual harassment in the industry, new allegations have emerged against veteran filmmaker Tulsidas. Two actresses, Sridevika and Geetha Vijayan, have come forward with serious accusations of harassment, adding to the growing list of such cases in Mollywood.
Sridevika’s Allegations: A Disturbing Experience on the Set of “Avan Chandiyude Makan”
Sridevika, known for her work in several Malayalam films, has accused Tulsidas of harassing her during the making of the 2007 film “Avan Chandiyude Makan.” The actress, who starred alongside Prithviraj Sukumaran in the movie, claimed that the harassment began during the shooting in 2006. According to Sridevika, Tulsidas would repeatedly knock on her hotel room door late at night, making her feel uncomfortable and unsafe.
In a recent statement, Sridevika revealed, “For several nights, he would knock on my hotel room door. When I checked with the hotel reception, they confirmed it was him.” This behavior, she says, continued until she confided in one of her co-stars, after which Tulsidas moved her and her mother to a different room.
However, the situation only worsened on set. Sridevika alleges that Tulsidas began to mistreat her during filming, reducing her scenes and dialogues out of anger. She further claimed that she reported the harassment to the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), but no action was taken. Frustrated by the lack of support, she eventually shared her experience on Facebook in 2018, hoping to bring attention to the issue.
Geetha Vijayan’s Ordeal: Harassment During the Filming of “Chanchhattam”
Geetha Vijayan, another prominent actress in the Malayalam film industry, has also spoken out against Tulsidas. She recounted a similar experience while working on the 1991 film “Chanchhattam.” Geetha alleged that Tulsidas would repeatedly ring her hotel room bell late at night, a pattern of harassment that lasted several days.
“When I confronted him about his behavior,” Geetha said, “I was treated with hostility. My scenes were cut, and I was not given proper instructions on set.” The actress further added that she was blacklisted from several films after raising her voice against the harassment, effectively impacting her career.
In a powerful statement, Geetha urged others to stand up against such abuse: “Those who commit violence against women must live with the fear of being exposed. This fear is their punishment, and it should never fade. I hope no one else has to go through what we did, but if they do, they must find the courage to speak out.”
Tulsidas Responds: Denial and Accusations of Retaliation
In response to the allegations, Tulsidas has categorically denied any wrongdoing. The filmmaker claimed that he never visited the hotel rooms of either actress during the shooting of their respective films. He suggested that Sridevika might be seeking revenge for an incident on set, where he allegedly scolded her for taking too long to change her clothes.
Tulsidas defended himself by stating, “Sridevika might be holding a grudge against me because I once reprimanded her on set. This could be her way of getting back at me.” He also refuted Geetha Vijayan’s claims, asserting that he never harassed her during the making of “Chanchhattam.” The director went on to suggest that the accusations might be part of a larger attempt to tarnish his reputation.
Mollywood’s Ongoing Struggle with Allegations
These recent allegations have added to the already troubled atmosphere in Mollywood, where the Justice Hema Committee report has highlighted systemic issues of harassment and exploitation. The industry’s response to these claims, particularly the inaction of organizations like AMMA, has drawn criticism from various quarters.
As more voices emerge, it is clear that Mollywood is at a critical juncture. The industry must address these issues head-on, ensuring that those who come forward with allegations are heard and protected. The unfolding situation around Tulsidas and the actresses’ claims serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for reform and accountability in the Malayalam film industry.
