Rini George talks about harassment: The release of the Hema Committee Report a few months ago had already put a spotlight on how unsafe and unequal the Malayalam film industry can be for women. The report, prepared by Justice K. Hema and her team, detailed incidents of harassment, exploitation, and silence forced upon women who feared losing their careers.
In a recent revelation, Rini said that a young leader from a well-known political party had been troubling her for almost three years. She said the politician began by sending her inappropriate messages on social media and later went as far as inviting her to a five-star hotel.
Her words mirror the same patterns the Hema Committee described: powerful men using their positions to intimidate women, and organizations turning a blind eye.
Although Rini did not name the man or his party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Kerala quickly alleged that Congress MLA Rahul Mankoottil was responsible. The BJP even staged protests outside his office in Palakkad, leading to clashes with police.
Neither Mankoottil nor the Congress leadership has issued a public statement so far.
According to Rini George, despite repeated complaints, the youth leader continued to climb the ranks. “The image I had about them is shattered. Even after my warnings, he was given big positions,” she said.
She also admitted that she is not filing a formal case. Her reasons? Security fears and a lack of trust in the justice system. “I did not want to embarrass the party. But I have learned that other women also faced similar harassment, so I am speaking out for them,” she explained.
