Malayalam film director and former CPI(M)-backed MLA PT Kunju Muhammed has been booked for molestation after a female colleague accused him of entering her hotel room and assaulting her during the jury selection process for the International Film Festival of Kerala-2025 last month. The complainant, who was also part of the jury chaired by Muhammed, alleged that he “insulted her femininity” and behaved indecently, prompting her to file a written complaint with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The case was registered by Thiruvananthapuram City Police on Monday under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita following the complainant’s formal statement. The alleged incident occurred when the jury members were staying at a hotel in the capital during the film-screening phase ahead of the festival, which opens later this week.

Muhammed, a two-time former legislator from Guruvayoor and a founder-director of CPI(M)-backed Kairali TV, strongly denied the allegations, calling it a possible “misunderstanding.” “I have been in public life for 25 years and have never behaved improperly with anyone,” he told the media.

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The 75-year-old filmmaker has a long career in Malayalam cinema, having produced acclaimed films like Purushartham and Swaroopam and directed award-winning works such as Magrib and Garshome. He won the Guruvayoor seat as an independent with Left support in 1994 and retained it in 1996.

The complaint comes amid heightened scrutiny of workplace safety in Kerala’s film industry following the 2024 Justice Hema Committee report that exposed widespread harassment. Police have begun an investigation and are expected to record detailed statements from both parties in the coming days.

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