Absolutely Untrue: Asha Sharath On Reports Of Siddique's Misbehaviour

Actress Asha Sharath responded to the reports of actor Siddique misbehaving with her during the shooting of Mohanlal's hit movie 'Drishyam'.

In a Facebook post, Asha Sharath clarified her stance, stating that Siddique is a close friend and a respected colleague in the film industry.

"I am writing this because my name has been mentioned in connection with the ongoing discussions about issues in the film industry. I want to set the record straight. Some people have suggested that Siddique behaved inappropriately with me during the shooting of the movie 'Drishyam.' This is absolutely untrue. Siddique has always been a good friend and a professional colleague," she wrote.

She further added, "I have never encountered any inappropriate behavior or upsetting actions from him. I urge those spreading these false claims to stop. My wish and hope is that the Malayalam film industry should grow as a unified art family and become a role model for others. If there are any underlying issues, they need to be addressed swiftly. At the same time, we must also expose those who attempt to exploit the situation by spreading baseless rumors."

Asha Sharath also emphasized the need for a safe and supportive environment in the industry: "Those who engage in illegal propaganda will be held accountable by the law. Everyone with a passion and talent for art should be able to work in a peaceful and happy environment. I hope that the government and the art lovers of this land will work together to achieve this."

Meanwhile, senior Malayalam actor Siddique resigned from his position as the general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), following the allegations of rape and sexual assault made against him by an actress.

In a statement, Siddique, who has appeared in over 350 films, predominantly in Malayalam, said: "I have conveyed my resignation to AMMA President Mohanlal. Given the allegations against me, it's not appropriate for me to continue in this role. I would prefer not to discuss the allegations at this time."

The Malayalam film industry, or Mollywood, is currently under intense scrutiny following the release of the Justice Hema Committee report, which exposed alarming instances of harassment and sexual exploitation faced by women in the industry. With several actors coming forward with allegations of sexual assault and rape, the industry is now facing significant public and media attention.