#MeToo South: ‘MeToo Isn’t a Movement, It’s a Fad,’ Says Mohanlal
Tamil Cinema’s #MeToo Movement is Here: A R Rahman speaks on the movement in Tamil Film industry.
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Lyricist Vairamuthu Accused of Sexual Misconduct: Opens Pandora's Box in Tamil Entertainment Industry
Journalist Sandhya Menon shared the message, in which a woman alleged that lyricist Vairamuthu hugged and kissed her against her consent. The alleged victim, who chose to remain anonymous also alleged that she wasn’t his first victim.
After Vairamuthu being accused, more names from the Tamil entertainment industry are being called out as part of the #MeToo movement.
'MeToo Isn't a Movement, It's a Fad', Says Mohanlal
Actor Mohanlal, who along with Mommootty is considered the biggest star of Malayalam cinema has said there is no MeToo in the Malayalam film industry.
He then ‘clarified’ his stand to Gulf News and said he cannot comment on an issue that he has not experienced.
Vairamuthu's Sons Respond to Sexual Harassment Accusations Against Him
Lyricist Vairamuthu’s sons have taken to social media to respond to the sexual harassment accusations against him. His elder son Madhan Karky, who penned lyrics for Robot and now 2.0 had this to say as he tweeted out a new song: “Lies will rage like a storm. But truth speaks softly.”
His younger son Kabilan shared his thoughts on Facebook and said that those who accuse his father must take to legal recourse instead of slander, and that his father is synonymous with Tamil identity.
Sri Reddy has named 'Ghajini' and 'Sarkar' director AR Murugadoss, actor-director-producer Raghava Lawrence and actor Srikanth of sexual exploitation. She had named Murugadoss earlier on social media as well.
‘Susi Ganesan and His Wife Slut Shamed Me’, Says Amala Paul
Less than a few hours after Amala Paul’s statement against director Susi Ganesan, she tweeted out another allegation claiming that his wife and he abused her over the phone, while she tried to explain her stand to them.
Amala Paul had worked with Susi Ganesan in the film ‘Thiruttupayale2’.
Amala Paul Supports Leena Manimekalai Against Susi Ganesan
Actress Amala Paul comes in support of Filmamker Leena Manimekalai who had accused director Susi Ganesan of sexual harrassment.
In a statement, Amala says she was subjected to double meaning talks, misinterpreted offers and unchivalrous bodily contacts during her shoot of Thirutupayale 2, a movie shot by Susi Ganesan.
Some of the Names Have Shocked Me
'I Had a Nasty Experience With Vairamuthu'
Bhuvana Seshan, a self employed media professional and musician/singer has spoken out on how she faced intimidation and sexual misconduct (which she repeatedly fought off) at the hands of Vairamuthu many years ago. From threats over the phone asking her to comply to his demands, to threatening to ruin her career as a playback singer, Bhuvana has accused Vairamuthu of multiple instances of inappropriate behaviour.
Since there were issues with the Facebook link, Chinmayi Sriprada tweeted it out.
Public Hearing on Sexual Harassment and Intimidation
Sruthi Hariharan Outs Arjun Sarja
Sruthi Hariharan is an actor/producer from Kerala, whose filmography spans Kannada, Malayalam, and occasionally, Tamil. She has spoken out on the sexual misconduct meted out to her on a daily basis verbally and physically by actor Arjun Sarja, as part of the MeToo movement.
Arjun Sarja is the first Kannada actor to fall under the scanner of the movement.
Rajinikanth Defends Vairamuthu
At an impromptu presser outside the Chennai airport today, a group of Tamil language reporters asked Rajinikanth about the MeToo movement. The question was, ‘Do you support the movement’?
When asked to respond to allegations of sexual misconduct, abuse and intimidation against lyricst Vairamuthu, he had this to say.
After Vairamuthu, Susi Ganesan Bites the Dust
Leena Manimegalai, a film maker, poet, author and actor had written a facebook post in 2011, about an ordeal of sexual misconduct by a film director, who she had not named at the time. She has re-shared the post, and this time, revealed the name of the alleged perpetrator as director Susi Ganesan.
Susi Ganesan has directed a number of films in Tamil, including hits like Thiruttu Payale (1 and 2) and Kanthasaamy starring Vikram.
Why Now? Why not Then? Chinmayi Answers
Despite a series of twitter threads on her ‘motive’ and her silence, playback singer Chinmayi has been constantly badgered on twitter and by the electronic media with this question. At the airport, she makes her stand clearer.
Vairamuthu Responds to Sexual Harassment Allegations
"The charges against me are false. It is made with an intention to defame me. If the charges are true the concerned people can register cases against me. For past one week I have gathered unassailable evidences and discussed with my lawyers. You can regsiter a case I am prepared to face it. People need not decide if I am a good or a bad man. Let the court decide I will obey the court," said lyricist Vairamuthu, after multiple women came out, accusing the veteran of sexual harassnent.
Allegations on Playback Singer Karthik
Karthik is a playback singer who has performed live across the world, and has also sung for movies in most Indian languages. An alleged victim has reached out to journalist Sandhya Menon to share her story.
Actor Samantha Akkineni Backs Chinmayi's Allegations
At a press conference a few days ago, when asked about the #MeToo movement, Samantha’s answer was diplomatic. She stated that she never had such an experience with any male member of the fraternity and that she cannot comment on something she hasn’t experienced. Nevertheless, she is one of the first film actors of the south to come out in support of Chinmayi’s allegations of sexual abuse against Vairamuthu.
Vairamuthu Denies Allegations in His Tweet
Vairamuthu’s denial comes two days after allegations against him were levelled by multiple women, whose tales were shared anonymously on twitter, notably by playback singer Chinmayi and journalist Sandhya Menon.
Radha Ravi and T M Karthik are yet to comment on allegations of sexual abuse levelled against them.
More Allegations Against Lyricist Vairamuthu
As many as four separate allegations of sexual abuse from different women have surfaced on social media against lyricist Vairamuthu. Sandhya Menon shared the first such instance on October 7th. Playback singer Chinmayi was the first from the Tamil film fraternity to take up the issue. Her tweets were supported and retweeted by actors Samantha and Varalakshmi.
Chinmayi herself has accused Vairmuthu of sexually abusing her.
Senior Actor Radha Ravi Called Out for Sexual Abuse
Radha Ravi is a film and television actor, and former Chief of the South Indian Film Artists’ Association. He is the half-brother of actor/producer Radhikaa, and is often plays negative supporting roles. He is known for his vocal criticism against other members of the film fraternity.
Theatre Actor T M Karthik Called Out for Sexual Abuse
TM Karthik is a well-known theatre actor, who also essays supporting roles in Tamil cinema, most notably in Nanban (remake of 3 Idiots).
Twitterati Allege Caste Angle in #MeToo Posts Against Vairamuthu
In addition to the general disbelief, cynicism and suspicion, since the alleged victim has chosen to remain anonymous, a caste angle has come into play. Some Twitter users allege that this is a ploy by the upper caste to discredit Vairamuthu, who is seen as a Dravidian icon.
Chinmayi Shares Another Alleged Victim's Story Against Vairamuthu
Playback Singer Chinmayi Leads the #MeToo Movement in TN Cinema
After Sandhya Menon tweeted out the alleged victim’s post against Vairamuthu, playback singer Chinmayi Sriprada was the first voice from the Tamil film industry to back her up. Soon, she shared another alleged victim’s account of sexual abuse by the lyricist.
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