Cases were filed against former Association of Malayalam Movie Actors (A.M.M.A) office bearer Idavela Babu and popular actor Sudheesh in Kozhikode on the basis of accusations levelled by a junior artist.
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Idavela Babu, 61, reportedly asked a woman artist to make "adjustments" if she couldn't pay the AMMA's admission fee. Adjustment is a common cypher used for sexual favours.
Sudheesh, 49, is active in Mollywood for over three and a half decades now. A junior artist reportedly accused the 'Manichithrathazhu' actor of inviting her to go on trips with him.
Over the phone, Sudheesh invited her to travel with him, the complainant had alleged. When the actor denied the claims, the junior artist alleged that the actor was an habitual liar.
Accusing Idavela Babu of demanding sexual favours, the woman told the police that he asked for "adjustments" if she couldn't pay the membership fee of Rs 2 lakhs to join the actors's association.
Sudheesh and Babu were booked under Section 354A of the Indian Penal Code (sexual harassment) by Kozhikode's Nadakkavu Police, Manorama Online said in a report. The SIT had earlier recorded the complainant's statement, the report added.
Earlier this week, actor Minu Muneer had alleged that actors Jayasurya, Idavela Babu, Mukesh and Maniyanpilla Raju misbehaved with her. She said by 2013, she acted in six movies and to get a membership in AMMA an actor only needs to be cast in three films. When she called up actor Idavela Babu, Minu alleged that he invited her to his flat to fill out a form. While filling out the form, he allegedly kissed her on the neck, following which she left the building immediately, Minu Muneer said.
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Mollywood's 'MeToo' revelations come in the backdrop of the Hema Committee Report, which revealed alleged sexual abuses and harassment faced by women in the Malayalam film industry.
