In a shocking revelation, actress Revathy Sampath has accused veteran Malayalam actor and general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), Siddique, of sexual misconduct and verbal harassment. Sampath made these allegations during a recent media interaction, recounting a distressing experience that allegedly occurred when she was just 21 years old.
According to Sampath, Siddique initially reached out to her on Facebook, addressing her as “Mole,” a Malayalam term commonly used to refer to a young girl or daughter, creating a facade of familiarity and care. However, the actress claims this was a prelude to the harassment that followed. “After completing my Plus Two, I had a terrible experience,” Sampath recounted. “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.”
Sampath’s allegations extend beyond mere verbal harassment, as she accused Siddique of both physical and mental abuse. “He assaulted me, both physically and mentally. Siddique is a criminal. I went through severe mental trauma. It even affected my professional life,” the actress revealed, describing the toll the incident had on her personal and professional life. Sampath expressed the profound sense of isolation she felt, lamenting that “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.”
Detailing her harrowing experience, Sampath narrated how she managed to escape from the situation. “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,” she said, highlighting the fear and helplessness she felt during the ordeal.
Siddique, a celebrated figure in the Malayalam film industry, has appeared in over 300 Malayalam films and has also made his mark in Tamil cinema with roles in films like “Jana” and “Bhaskar Oru Rascal.” The accusations against him, especially in his capacity as the general secretary of AMMA, cast a shadow over the association and raise serious concerns about the treatment of women in the industry.
These allegations by Revathy Sampath are yet to receive a formal response from Siddique or AMMA. As the story unfolds, it is likely to stir significant controversy and calls for accountability within the Malayalam film fraternity. The industry and its stakeholders await further developments in this matter as the demand for justice and systemic change grows louder.