In a dramatic turn of events, veteran Malayalam actor Siddique has filed a police complaint against actress Revathy Sampath, who had accused him of sexual misconduct. The complaint was officially lodged with the Kerala Police, and it has been forwarded to the Director General of Police, according to sources. The controversy has sparked widespread attention in the Malayalam film industry and beyond.
Siddique, known for his roles in over 300 Malayalam films and several Tamil movies, including “Jana” and “Bhaskar Oru Rascal,” took this legal step following allegations made by Revathy Sampath, who claimed that Siddique had sexually harassed her. Revathy’s accusations have brought the actor, who also serves as the General Secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), under intense scrutiny.
In a recent media interaction, Revathy Sampath detailed her experience, alleging that the incident took place when she was just 21 years old. According to Sampath, Siddique initially contacted her on Facebook, addressing her as “Mole,” a term commonly used in Kerala to refer to a young girl or daughter. She recounted that the interaction began innocently but soon turned uncomfortable during a discussion about a film project.
“After completing my Plus Two, I had a terrible experience. Siddique sent me messages on Facebook. I had come to discuss a film. This incident occurred when I was 21 years old. He first approached me by calling me ‘Mole.’ There was abuse from Siddique’s side. During the discussion, he sexually abused me. The face he shows now is not the one I saw back then,” Revathy claimed.
Revathy further alleged that Siddique’s actions caused her significant mental trauma, affecting both her personal and professional life. “He assaulted me, both physically and mentally. Siddique is a criminal. I went through severe mental trauma. It even affected my professional life. No system stood by me. It took me a long time to speak out. After the assault, Siddique acted as if nothing had happened and stood before me like it was normal. Everyone responded as if it was a common occurrence. It felt like they all did it knowingly,” Revathy said.
The actress also described how she managed to escape from Siddique’s advances, saying, “I ran away to escape. I responded as best as I could at that age. He said there was nothing I could do. I fled, managed to get into an auto, and escaped.”
These revelations have sent shockwaves through the Malayalam film industry, with both support and skepticism emerging from different quarters. Siddique’s decision to file a complaint against Revathy comes as a response to these serious accusations, signaling a legal battle ahead. The case will likely continue to draw public and media attention, highlighting the ongoing issues of harassment and misconduct in the entertainment industry.
As the situation unfolds, all eyes will be on how the Kerala Police and the judicial system handle the allegations and the counter-complaint. The outcome could set a precedent for how similar cases are dealt with in the future, especially in the context of the Malayalam film industry, where the #MeToo movement has gained significant momentum.