From Bollywood To Mollywood! How #MeToo And Justice Hema Committee Triggered Casting Couch Reckoning In Indian Cinema News24 –

Kollywood’s in the spotlight! Tamil cinema’s beloved Vijay Sethupathi, a pan-Indian star, faces explosive allegations from X user Ramya Mohan, who claims he offered Rs 2 lakh for “caravan favours” and Rs 50,000 for “drives,” rocking the industry with controversy. However, in an exclusive interview with News24, Vijay Sethupathi denied all sexual abuse allegations. He said, “This is ridiculous — my lawyer is looking into it.”

Vijay Sethupathi is neither the first nor the last actor accused of casting couch practices in Indian cinema. From Bollywood to Mollywood, stars continue to face scrutiny amid the #MeToo movement’s resurgence and the impactful Justice Hema Committee report.

The Justice Hema Committee, established following the 2017 abduction and sexual assault of a Malayalam actress in a moving van—a case in which actor Dileep still faces trial—was tasked with exposing systemic sexual harassment, gender inequality, and casting couch practices in the Malayalam film industry (Mollywood). After the report was submitted, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted to probe the allegations detailed in it. Now, the SIT is in the process of closing all 35 related cases, having sought the Kerala High Court’s permission for closure, citing the victims’ unwillingness to testify. Here’s how key figures and events sparked India’s #MeToo movement across the film industry — from Bollywood and Tollywood to Kollywood and Mollywood.

Allegations Against Vijay Sethupathi

Ramya claimed that a woman she knew, now a recognisable media figure, endured years of emotional and physical exploitation by Vijay Sethupathi, driving her to seek rehabilitation. She alleged that Sethupathi offered money for inappropriate favours, disguising it as an industry norm, and condemned the toxic environment hidden behind the facade of glamour and false morality.

Malayalam Actress Abducted, Sexually Assaulted By Prominent Actor

In February 2017, a prominent Malayalam film actress came openly alleging that she was abducted and sexually assaulted in a moving van while she was coming after a film shoot. Later, Kerala’s most popular actor Dileep was arrested in the case, which is still on. This incident galvanised the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), founded by actresses like Parvathy Thiruvothu and Rima Kallingal, to demand a government probe into gender issues in Malayalam cinema, setting the stage for systemic change.

The Justice Hema Committee was established to investigate the challenges faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. The retired Justice K. Hema, with actress Sharada and retired IAS officer K.B. Valsala Kumar, submitted its report to the Kerala government on December 31, 2019.

However, the report—believed to contain big names from the Malayalam film industry accused of sexual harassment—was shelved by the government. The report was based on 35 cases registered by Justice Hema, in which victims came forward with allegations against some of the industry’s most prominent stars. Their 233-page report, submitted in 2019, exposes a “power group” of 15 male industry leaders, casting couch practices, and rampant harassment, laying a critical foundation for accountability.

The report was publicly released on August 19, 2024, with redactions, following a prolonged legal battle. Afterwards, the state witnessed a temporary standstill in the industry, with new film releases postponed due to backlash from various organisations demanding that the report be made public. Eventually, Malayalam superstar Mohanlal had to address a press conference to defuse the situation in a diplomatic manner. Allegations persist that the version of the report released is incomplete, with claims that the government deliberately withheld the names of the powerful figures involved.

Hema Committee Report

The public release of the redacted Hema Committee report triggered a #MeToo wave in Mollywood. Actresses Sreelekha Mitra, Revathy Sampath, and Minu Muneer courageously accused prominent figures like director Ranjith, actors Siddique, Mukesh, Jayasurya, and others, sparking widespread outrage and prompting the dissolution of AMMA’s executive committee.

In June 2025, the SIT halts investigations into 120 FIRs (35 tied to the Hema Committee report, 85 from subsequent survivor revelations) due to victims’ unwillingness to provide statements, stating probes will resume when complainants are ready.

The SIT informs the Kerala High Court that all 35 Hema Committee-based cases are closed, as no victims came forward to testify. The court, led by Justices A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and C.S. Sudha, rules no further action is required for now, scheduling a follow-up hearing for August 13, 2025, after a planned Film Conclave on August 2-3 to discuss industry reforms.

Allegations Against Malayalam Actors – Mollywood

Veteran Malayalam actor Siddique was arrested and released on bail on December 6, 2024, by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in Thiruvananthapuram in connection with a rape case filed against him. The arrest followed a complaint by a female actor who alleged that Siddique sexually assaulted her at the Mascot Hotel in Thiruvananthapuram on January 28, 2016, under the pretext of discussing a film role.

Actor and Kollam MLA M. Mukesh was arrested and released on bail by the Wadakkanchery police in connection with a sexual assault case. He was arrested by SIT, and a charge sheet was filed by the team. A woman from Aluva had complained against Mukesh, alleging that he had sexually assaulted her in a hotel room during the making of the film Natakame Ulakam. It is said that Mukesh sexually assaulted the complainant by promising her membership in the Malayalam film star organisation AMMA. Mukesh was booked on the complaint of actress Minu Muneer.

Bollywood Trigger And #MeToo Campaign

In October 2018, Actress Tanushree Dutta reignited India’s #MeToo movement by accusing veteran actor Nana Patekar of sexual misconduct on the set of Horn ‘Ok’ Pleassss (2008). Her allegations inspired other women, including journalists and actresses, to name prominent figures like director Sajid Khan, amplifying public discourse on harassment in Bollywood.

In October 2018, television producer Vinta Nanda alleged that seasoned actor Alok Nath raped her in the 1990s while they were working on the TV series Tara. In a Facebook post, Nanda described a “brutal” assault and claimed Nath harassed the show’s lead actress, Navneet Nishan. Additionally, actresses Sandhya Mridul, Deepika Amin, and an unnamed crew member from the 1999 film Hum Saath Saath Hain accused Nath of harassment, citing inappropriate conduct on set.

Tamil Nadu- Kollywood

The Hema Committee’s impact sparks calls for a similar investigation in Tamil cinema. Actor Vishal, Nadigar Sangam’s general secretary, pledged a Hema-like committee for Kollywood. Singer Chinmayi Sripada and actress Khushbu Sundar highlighted systemic abuse across Indian cinema, urging collective action.

In October 2018, singer Chinmayi Sripada supported women who accused actor-politician Radha Ravi, president of the South Indian Cine, Television Artistes and Dubbing Artistes Union (SICTADAU), of sexual misconduct. Two women alleged inappropriate behaviour, though specifics were not detailed publicly. Radha Ravi dismissed the claims, suggesting such incidents typically involve consent and warning that encouraging accusers could lead to blackmail.

Radha Ravi faced backlash for using inappropriate remarks on the actress Nayanthara at a film event, leading to his ouster from the DMK party.

In 2018, Padma Bhushan awardee and lyricist Vairamuthu faced sexual harassment accusations from several women, including singer Chinmayi Sripada and California-based artist Sindhuja Rajaram. Chinmayi claimed he intimidated and harassed her, while another accuser, Bhuvana, alleged that in 1998, Vairamuthu pressured her to travel with him to Malaysia, suggesting sexual favors in exchange for career opportunities.

Sandalwood (Kannada film industry)

In October 2018, actress Sruthi Hariharan accused actor Arjun Sarja of sexual harassment during the filming of the bilingual movie Vismaya (Kannada)/Nibunan (Tamil) in 2016. In a detailed Facebook post, Sruthi claimed that Sarja hugged her without her consent during a rehearsal for a romantic scene. She filed an FIR on October 27, 2018, under IPC sections for outraging modesty and criminal intimidation. Later, Arjun was given a clean chit. Sarja denied the allegations, calling them “baseless” and filed a Rs 5 crore defamation suit against Sruthi.

Actress Sanjjanaa Galrani accused director Ravi Srivatsa of coercing her into enacting intimate scenes during the shoot of Ganda Hendathi 13 years prior (circa 2005).

Tollywood

In April 2018, actress Sri Reddy sparked Tollywood’s #MeToo movement with a YouTube interview exposing the “casting couch” culture. She alleged being denied membership in the Movie Artists’ Association (MAA) despite making a “commitment”—a euphemism for sexual favors demanded by influential men for roles.

In September 2024, choreographer Shaik Jani Basha, known as Jani Master, was arrested on charges of sexually assaulting a 21-year-old female choreographer over several years, starting when she was a minor.

Bengali Film Industry

Bengali actress Ritabhari Chakraborty demands a Hema Committee-style probe for West Bengal’s film industry, citing similar patterns of harassment and power abuse.