The Mollywood is full of action these days, albeit real ones involving top notch actors, producers, directors and even actor-turned-politicians.
All the high-voltage drama is centred around the molestation case involving one of the leading actors in the south Indian film industry. A lot of people are being under the cloud of suspicion and it is not clear who is with whom. Allegations and counter allegations are flying thick and fast, with both sides threatening to sue each other.
The main player in the ensuing drama is superstar Dileep, a big player in the Malayalam industry thanks to his involvement in production and distribution. Ever since the female actor was allegedly abducted and molested in April, his name has been doing the rounds. The actor, who was allegedly molested, had earlier openly accused Dileep of scuttling her roles in Malayalam films. She had alleged that Dileep holds a severe grudge against her for siding with his former wife and actor Manju Warrier. Though she had given her complaint in writing to the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), no action has been taken.
Ever since the molestation incident, Dileep has been under the scanner despite his repeated pleas of innocence.
The case turned murkier recently especially after Dileep, in an interview to a TV channel, insinuated that the female actor had been close to 'Pulsar Suni', the main accused in the case who is in police custody now. “She should have been cautious about the friends she chose to keep,” Dileep had said.
The actor, however, hit back at Dileep and warned him of legal action over his comments.
"It's been brought to my knowledge that an actor has said that the accused in this case (Suni) and I were friends and that one should be careful while choosing friends. This has pained me. If such baseless allegations are made against me, I am even willing take legal action, if required," she said in a statement.
She also said that she had chosen not to speak up since senior police officials had advised her against it, citing that any intervention might affect the case and investigation adversely.
Dileep's comment had earned the wrath of many, including the Women's Collective, which was formed recently to protect the interests of women working in the film industry.
A TV channel, meanwhile, released an audio recording of Suni allegedly blackmailing Dileep asking him to either pay up or be ready to be framed in the case.
Dileep and his close friend, actor and producer Nadirshah, were questioned by the police for nearly four hours on Wednesday in connection with their complaint that they are being blackmailed by the accused. According to them, the accused is threatening them with 'dire consequences' unless they pay up Rs 1.5 crore.
Amid this, AMMA is meeting on Thursday. The powerful body, which has been facing criticism for allegedly being patriarchal, is unlikely to discuss the issue.
“AMMA has provided all possible support, including legal help, to the actor when she was in danger. Everyone knows that. What more can we do?,'' AMMA secretary Edavela Babu told THE WEEK.
But the female representatives in AMMA have said that they will raise the matter during the meeting. Mollywood, it seems, is destined for more real-life drama in the coming days.
