Malayalam filmmaker, actor quit posts over sexual abuse charges | India News – Times of India

General Secretary of Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) Siddique with actors Jomol and Ananya addresses the media

T’PURAM: Director-screenwriter and Kerala Chalachitra Academy chairman Ranjith and Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) general secretary and actor Siddique resigned on Sunday from their posts over allegations of sexual harassment, while Kerala’s govt formed a police special team to probe the findings of the Justice K Hema Committee report and subsequent revelations and charges made by women working in cinema against filmmakers and actors.
Ranjith, an emminent filmmaker, accused of misbehaving with a Bengali actor, said he was innocent and would fight legally. He quit amid an opposition clamour for his exit from the post.
Siddique, a senior actor, said he had sent his resignation letter to AMMA president and top star Mohanlal. “Since there were allegations against me, I have decided not to continue in the post,” Siddique said. On Saturday, a woman actor alleged that Siddique had sexually abused her after inviting her for a movie discussion.