Malayalam actor and CPI(M) legislator Mukesh is the latest in the list of celebrities to be accused of #MeToo misconduct. Bollywood casting director Tess Joseph tweeted the allegation against the actor-turned-politician. The director said the incident happened 19 years ago when she was working for the malayalam TV programme Kodeesawaran, the Malayalam version of Kaun Banega Crorepati, hosted by Mukesh, Joseph alleged that the actor constantly phoned her to the hotel room, even changing to a room beside hers. "I was the only woman in a crew of men. One night when the calls where never ending I stayed in my colleague room," she wrote.
I was the only woman in a crew of men. One night when the calls where never ending I stayed in my colleague room. And @LeMeridien chennai you are the worst for being enablers when I asked you why my room floor was different so nonchalantly I was told Mr Kumar asked for it.
— Tess Joseph (@Tesselmania) October 9, 2018
I was 20 years old quiz directing #koteeswaran when the mallu host #mukeshkumar called my room multiple times and then changed my room to beside his on the next sch. My then boss @derekobrienmp spoke to me for an hour & got me out on the next flight. 19 yrs on thank you Derek.
— Tess Joseph (@Tesselmania) October 9, 2018
MeToo India impact
Earlier, the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) announced Monday that the festival has decided to drop AIB's Chintu Ka Birthday and Rajat Kapoor's Kadakh from its showcase as #MeToo storm gathers speed. "We as an academy (MAMI) strongly support the #MeToo movement. In light of recent developments, we have decided to drop the following films from our line-up—AIB's Chintu Ka Birthday and Rajat Kapoor's Kadakh," the statement shared on MAMI's official Twitter account read.
The organisers said they would dedicate the upcoming edition of the movie gala to find "constructive" ways to deal with workplace sexual harassment and misconduct. "We want to use this opportunity to open up the conversation, and find solutions to harassment and sexual misconduct in the workplace. Starting with this edition of the festival, we would like to unite the community to find positive and constructive ways to deal with it," the statement further read.
While Bollywood actors, directors and entertainers had come under #MeToo fire, it is yet to catch up in south India.
-Inputs from PTI
