New book to cover sexual violence cases, including Mollywood horror
The Kerala film industry has been shaken by a wave of #MeToo allegations. In response, journalist Nidhi Suresh is preparing to release a book that delves into several sexual violence cases, including one that exposed the dark underbelly of Malayalam cinema. The yet-to-be-titled book is based on Suresh's six years of reporting on numerous sexual assault incidents. A Suitable Agency will represent the forthcoming work, reported PTI.
Suresh's investigation into 2017 sexual assault case inspired the book
The catalyst for Suresh's book was her extensive 10-month investigation into the sexual assault of a prominent female actor in Malayalam cinema. The incident, which occurred in Kochi on February 2017, involved six hired criminals sexually assaulting the actor. Superstar actor Dileep has been accused of masterminding this crime. This case not only sparked resistance but also led to an existential crisis in Kerala, often regarded as one of India's most progressive states.
Assault case led to formation of Women in Cinema Collective
The 2017 sexual assault case triggered a movement on par with the Harvey Weinstein scandal, predating the global #MeToo campaign. It led to the establishment of the Women in Cinema Collective in 2017 and pressured the Kerala government to form the Justice K Hema Committee. This committee recorded testimonies about working conditions for women in Mollywood. However, its report remained undisclosed for five years until a redacted version was released this August, igniting a second wave of #MeToo within Kerala.
Suresh's personal connection to Kerala and its patriarchal structures
Suresh, who spent most of her school years in Kerala, has a personal connection to the state. She stated, "My own first encounters with intimacy and abuse took place in Kerala. As a Malayalee living in Delhi, I've always struggled to explain the shape and extent of patriarchy in Kerala." Her book will delve into the workings of patriarchal power structures that enable sexual violence and how they attempt to control and manipulate ensuing narratives.
