Make-up Assistant Arrested in Kochi
A make-up assistant named Charuth Chandran, working in the Malayalam film industry, has been arrested in Kochi, Kerala. The arrest was made by the Infopark police following a sexual harassment complaint from a female make-up artist. Chandran was charged under sections 354, 354A, and 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Background of the Case
The arrest was recommended by a special investigation team (SIT) formed to address “me-too” allegations in the Malayalam movie industry. The incident reportedly occurred eight years ago, and over 25 cases have been registered based on complaints received by the SIT.
Hema Committee Report
The SIT was established after multiple accusations from female colleagues in the industry, coinciding with the release of the Hema Committee Report. This report investigated claims of sexual harassment and was made public in September. It revealed shocking accounts of harassment and exploitation faced by women in the industry.
Other Allegations
In October, Malayalam actor Jayasurya was questioned by the SIT regarding sexual assault allegations. Two actresses had filed complaints against him, leading to a second FIR under various IPC sections related to assault and harassment.
Industry Concerns
The Kerala High Court has directed the SIT to investigate the “rampant use of alcohol/drugs” on film sets, as highlighted in the Hema Committee report. The report, submitted to the Kerala government in 2019, notes that the industry is dominated by a small group of male producers, directors, and actors.
Doubts Revealed
Charuth Chandran -: Charuth Chandran is a person who works as a make-up assistant in the Malayalam film industry, which is the film industry of the Indian state of Kerala.
Kochi -: Kochi is a major city in the Indian state of Kerala. It is known for its port and is often referred to as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’.
Sexual Harassment -: Sexual harassment is when someone behaves in a way that makes another person feel uncomfortable or unsafe, often involving unwanted touching or comments.
Malayalam Film Industry -: The Malayalam film industry, also known as Mollywood, is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to producing movies in the Malayalam language, primarily spoken in Kerala.
Me-too -: The ‘me-too’ movement is a global campaign against sexual harassment and assault, where people share their experiences to raise awareness and seek justice.
Hema Committee Report -: The Hema Committee Report is a document that was created to investigate and report on issues of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam film industry.
Jayasurya -: Jayasurya is a popular actor in the Malayalam film industry, known for his roles in various movies. He was questioned as part of the investigation into harassment allegations.
Kerala High Court -: The Kerala High Court is the highest court in the Indian state of Kerala, which deals with legal matters and ensures justice is served.
Drug use on film sets -: This refers to the illegal use of drugs by people working on movie sets, which can be dangerous and is being investigated by authorities.
