When Mukesh's ex-wife claimed he kicked her while pregnant
As actor and CPI(M) MLA Mukesh faces serious allegations of sexual misconduct, his ex-wife Saritha's old statements have resurfaced. Saritha, a veteran actor, had previously accused Mukesh of emotional and physical abuse during their marriage. The couple was married in 1988 and has two sons together. These revelations come amid the ongoing #MeToo movement in the Malayalam film industry following the release of the Justice Hema Committee report.
Saritha's shocking revelations about Mukesh's abusive behavior
Saritha had shared her traumatic experiences with the media nearly a decade ago, around the time Mukesh remarried dancer Methil Devika. She spoke about her disbelief and humiliation, comparing them to scenes she had seen in movies. "I was ashamed to tell what I had experienced...I could not believe what was happening to me. I have acted in movies...I have seen all this in movies...But I never thought that all that would happen in my life," she said.
Saritha highlights instances of domestic violence, infidelity
Saritha stated that Mukesh's infidelity was a significant factor in their separation and that there were numerous instances of domestic violence during their marriage. She recalled one incident when Mukesh kicked her in the stomach while she was pregnant, causing her to fall. In another incident, while she was nine months pregnant, Mukesh played a cruel prank on her by repeatedly moving the car as she tried to get in, resulting in her falling and crying.
Saritha kept quiet about abuse at Mukesh's father's request
Saritha revealed she had initially kept quiet at Mukesh's father's request, whom she considered her own after her father's death. However, she spoke up later. "After Mukesh attacked me in front of his maids, I stopped going to his house...[Mukesh's father] held my hands and said he knew what I was going through and he knew his son was wrong. He, however, requested to ensure this doesn't come up in the media...I'm breaking this today because my silence was misunderstood."
Mukesh's response to Saritha's allegations
In a 2023 interview with Manorama News, Mukesh claimed that he held no ill will toward Saritha and Devika, whom he divorced in 2021. He stated that he had never spoken negatively about them and appreciated their decision to separate. "I faced a lot of pressure to say something...I genuinely appreciate both women because making such a decision and being content with it is commendable," he said.
