By Web Desk
Thrissur: On Tuesday, Union Minister Suresh Gopi criticized the media for allegedly distorting public perception about the film industry in light of recent sexual harassment accusations involving actors and directors. The actor-politician claimed that the media is treating these allegations as sensational “food” for profit, but he urged them not to harm the cinema industry in the process.
Responding to reporters’ questions about the sexual harassment allegations against several directors and actors, including CPI(M) MLA M. Mukesh, Gopi stated, “I understand this is all food for you. You can make money from it, and that’s fine. However, these matters are now before the court, which has the intelligence and logic to make decisions. You (the media) are not only inciting conflict among people for your own benefit but also misleading public opinion. The complaints are currently just allegations. What authority do you have to judge? You are not the court. Let the court make its decisions.”
Gopi’s remarks followed a Yuva Morcha protest march to Mukesh’s residence in Kollam. The release of the Justice K. Hema Committee report on harassment and abuse in the Malayalam film industry has prompted several female actors to come forward with disturbing accounts of mistreatment by male counterparts. In response, the government has announced the formation of a seven-member special investigation team to examine the allegations arising from the Hema Committee report. The report, which was commissioned by the Kerala government following the 2017 actress assault case, has exposed instances of harassment and exploitation in the Malayalam film industry, leading to calls for accountability.
