Thiruvananthapuram: Popular comedian and president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (Amma), Innocent is used to making his viewers chuckle, but the actor himself is now enduring a bitter experience following his remarks about female stars, and the association’s apparent cold-shouldering of an actress who was abducted and abused.
The actor-politician who is a Left-backed MP, ran into more problems after holding a press conference to apologise to media persons.
During the press conference, to a question about allegations of sexual exploitation of newcomers in Malayalam movies, he remarked to the effect that it may be happening to some actresses.
The comment triggered further ire against Innocent, who was already being criticised in his capacity as Amma president for not doing enough to fight for justice for the actress who was abused.
“When you are so inherently part of a system that holds women accountable for having to sleep around for a job opportunity, rather than the men who ask for that “favour”. When you are so blinded by your privilege and entitlement that you think every woman out there can hold a press conference when her rights and her being are violated.
“When you know that you are part of this system and don’t know where to start from. But then, you know deep inside that this has to change and change it will”, wrote well-known actress Rima Kallingal on social media.
Police investigation is continuing in the case of abduction and abuse of the actress. Among those who have been questioned so far are popular actor Dileep, his friend and actor-director Nadir Shah, Dileep’s manager Appunny, Dileep’s brother Anup and actor Dharmajan Bolghatty.
