Mukesh: Prime Accused In Mollywood #MeToo Scandal Has Caused Political Uproar in Kerala

Mukesh M has been charged in two separate sexual misconduct cases after the release of the Hema Committee report. The findings have jolted the Malayalam film industry as it reveal the shocking details of injustice, sexual abuse and exploitation of female artists in Mollywood. After the report was released publicly, it gave the victims the courage to come forward and report the crime. Among all was Minu Muneer, who accused the CPI(M) MLA and actor Mukesh of sexual misconduct.

Who is Mukesh M?

Before entering politics, they predominantly worked in the Malayalam cinema. In his career spanning four decades, he has acted in over 275 movies, including Kaanaakkinaavu,  Godfather, Mookilla Rajyathu, Aayushkalam and Ennodishtam Koodamo. apart from being an actor, he has also produced several hit films, including Kadha Parayumbol and Thattathin Marayathu.

After marking her niche in the entertainment world, Mukesh tried his hands at politics, and was elected to the Kerala Legislative Assembly from the Kollam Assembly constituency in the 2016 Kerala Legislative Assembly election. Currently, he is the MLA representing the Kollam constituency of Kerala state.

Mukesh M gets caught in the ongoing #MeToo wave in Mollywood

A few days after the report released in public, actress Minu Muneer filed a complaint against the actor and penned a long note on her social media handle narrating the ordeal she suffered at the hands of Mukesh M. She revealed that Mukesh had misbehaved with her during the filming of the movie Calendar. When she resisted his advances, Mukesh allegedly used his influence to reject her membership application in the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA).

In a new development, another case has been filed against the actor. An FIR under IPC 376 (rape) was registered against the actor at Maradu police station in Kochi city on Wednesday night, a police officer said.

How did Mukesh M react to Minu Muneer's allegations?

In a lengthy statement issued in retaliation, Mukesh issued a press release asserting his innocence. "In response to the allegations raised against me and other film industry colleagues, I welcome the ongoing investigations. A fair and transparent inquiry is crucial to uncover the truth behind the accusations being discussed in the public domain," he said. "As both an actor and a public representative, I hold a deep responsibility towards society. Coming from a family with a rich theatrical tradition, I am perhaps more capable than most of understanding the pain and concerns of those in the arts," he added.

Is the Kerala government protecting Mukesh M?

Soon after Mukesh M was named in two sexual misconduct cases, the Congress and the BJP intensified their call for the resignation of CPI(M) MLA Mukesh. However, what triggered the public when the District and Sessions Court, Ernakulam, directed the investigation officer on Thursday not to arrest him till September 3 after noting that there was no chance of him "fleeing from the clutches of law". In response to this, massive protests erupted outside the residence of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan with demonstrators demanding justice for the alleged victim and calling for Mukesh's resignation.

BJP Karnataka spokesperson Malavika Avinash also joined the moment, and in an interview with Republic World she shed light on the dark side of the industry, the prevalence of a power nexus and inequitable working conditions of women. The 48-year-old actress asserted, “Mukesh is a sitting MLA and even though there are so many allegations against him the Pinarayi government should simply ask him to go home. How can they hold on to him, how can he be a people's representative, how can he be a neta if has tormented these women?”

Party protects #MeToo accused Mukesh M

The ruling Communist Party Of India (Marxist) in Kerala on Saturday said that actor-cum-MLA M Mukesh need not resign from his post as legislator merely because a rape case has been registered against him. Addressing a press conference at Thiruvananthapuram, the decision was announced by CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan following the party's state committee meeting. However, Govindan said the party also decided that Mukesh should not be part of the film-making policy committee and be removed from that in view of the allegations against him.

Mukesh M's first wife allegations amid Mollywood #MeToo movement

After the actor was booked under first sexual assault, Mukesh's first wife Saritha's statement against Mukesh resurfaced online. She opened up about the torture she endured in her married life. As per a report in Onmanorama, she said, “When I was pregnant, he kicked me in the stomach and I fell into the yard. I cried in those moments, he would mock me, saying Oh You are such a good actress….go on cry. He always found new ways to hurt me.’" She further revealed, “Once when I was nine months pregnant, we went out for dinner. On our way back, when I tried to get into the car, he kept moving it forward and backward to trick me. When I ran after the car, I fell and sat there crying. I tried to hide my tears from him because he would just laugh”.

Meanwhile, SIT is currently probing the cases filed against Mukesh M.