Malayalam actor Siddique, accused of rape, director Ranjith, accused of sexual misconduct, resign

Just days after the explosive Hema Committee report , two influential and popular members of the Malayalam film fraternity have resigned from powerful positions in different industry organizations.

Director Ranjith resigned on Sunday from his position as Chairman of the prestigious Kerala Chalachitra Academy following allegations of sexual misconduct made by Bengali actress Sreelekha. Siddique, meanwhile, stepped down from his role as General Secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA).

Siddique's resignation came a day after allegations of rape and sexual assault against him resurfaced. "I have informed AMMA President Mohanlal about my resignation. I would not like to talk about the allegations right now," Siddique told a Malayalam news channel, refusing to address the accusations.

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A young actress accused Siddique of rape in 2019. In a Facebook post, she claimed that Siddique summoned her in 2016 under the pretext of discussing a film project and then sexually assaulted her. She reiterated her allegations in the media on Saturday, leading to Siddique's decision to step down.

It's noteworthy that Siddique has shown considerable reluctance to respond to the Hema Committee report. Earlier, at a press conference, he denied most of the panel's findings, including the existence of a powerful lobby that dictates casting decisions. He also claimed to be unaware of the casting couch culture—a euphemism for seeking sexual favours in exchange for work—in the Malayalam film industry.

The Hema Committee report has sent shockwaves through the Malayalam film industry, with several high-profile figures facing intense public scrutiny. Past allegations have gained renewed attention in light of the report's shocking revelations.

The two-year investigation, led by Justice Hema, concluded that sexual exploitation is rampant in the industry. The report alleges that "sex was given undue importance" when offering work opportunities to young and aspiring female actors. It also highlighted poor working conditions for women, especially those at the lower end of the power hierarchy. The report further claimed the existence of a powerful lobby controlling industry operations and noted that those who resisted faced various forms of persecution.

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