“Paid Me Rs 10,000 For Silence”: Writer Accuses Director VK Prakash Of Sexual Assault
As the Malayalam industry witnesses allegations after allegations pour in since the release of the Hema Committee report, another reputable name has been added to the list. A script writer accused renowned director VK Prakash of sexually assaulting her during a narration.
The young woman recounted an incident that occurred roughly two years ago where she contacted the Palum Pazhuvam director and sent the thread of a story to him. The woman said that the director really liked it and wanted her to come to Kollam for a meeting where she was allegedly promised that her story would be made into a film.
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Upon meeting the director in a hotel room, the young woman claimed that Prakash offered her alcohol after the narration. She alleged that Prakash then picked an “intimate” and “vulgar” scene and asked her to enact it. She claimed during the same, the director touched her inappropriately.
The writer expressed her displeasure to Prakash, who left the room. The next day, he called her several times, apologising and asking her to keep the incident a secret, fearing his reputation to be in danger, the woman claimed. She further added that the director proceeded to send her Rs 10,000 in exchange for her silence.
Recounting her experience, the young woman stated that she has filed a complaint with the DGP and hopes for the state government to take action against the perpetrators. She further added that no one coming into the film industry should undergo a similar experience.
VK Prakash’s debut feature directorial, Punaradhivasam (2000), won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam and the Kerala State Award for Best Debut Director. In 2015, his film Nirnayakam won the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues. He has directed films in Telugu, Marathi, Hindi, and Kannada.
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Since the report was published, over the past few days, several women have come forward with their experiences within the Malayalam film industry. Following the same, senior actor Siddique resigned as the general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), and director-actor Ranjith resigned from the position of Kerala Chalachitra Academy chairman on Sunday. Several other prominent actors have been accused of sexual assault allegations.
