Called me 'daughter', but 'groomed me as a sex slave': Kerala actor accuses Tamil director of abusing her at 18

A popular actor from the 90s has come forward with troubling allegations of sexual abuse in the Malayalam film industry, revealing that a well-known Tamil director groomed her as a "sex slave." Speaking to NDTV and a fellow celebrity on a YouTube channel, the actor detailed the mental, physical, and sexual abuse she endured from the director, which began when she was just 18 years old, during the shooting of her debut Tamil movie.

Recalling how the director initially approached her for the role in the presence of his wife, the actor explained how he manipulated her by addressing her as "a daughter." She shared that coming from a sheltered background, she was unaware of the ways of the film industry. "As a child, I was enamored of the actor Revathy, who lived near my house at that time... I was in a fantasy world. So, I went for a screen test with this couple."

She recounted that the director and his wife treated her nicely, offering her good food and milkshakes, which she now sees as part of the grooming process. The actor shared a pivotal moment when the director, in the absence of his wife, made his first inappropriate move. "One fine day, when his wife wasn't around, this man, while calling me his daughter, kissed me. I completely froze. I was so desperate to tell my friends but couldn't... I was ashamed, thinking I had done something wrong and that I was obligated to be nice to this man..."


The actor revealed that the abuse continued, with the director progressively taking advantage of her. "Step by step, this man completely used my body to his advantage," she said, adding, "At some point, he forced himself on me... so he raped me. This went on for close to a year while I was in college." Throughout this period, the director continued to refer to her as his daughter, deeply confusing and traumatizing her. "He messed with my brain," she stated.

The actor has decided to disclose the name of her abuser to the special investigation team appointed by the Kerala government, which was formed to investigate sexual abuse complaints in the film industry. She hopes that sharing her story will compel others to come forward and seek justice.

Her revelations add to the growing list of allegations brought to light by the Hema Committee report, which has uncovered widespread sexual abuse in the Malayalam film industry. The case underscores the pressing need for systemic change and increased support for survivors of abuse in the entertainment sector.