Amid MeToo wave in Malayalam cinema, actor Nivin Pauly has been booked in a rape case after a woman alleged in a complaint that he sexually assaulted her at a Dubai hotel in 2023, following a promise of a film role.
The woman, hailing from Ernakulam district, also named five others, including a producer, in her complaint. Pauly was identified as the sixth accused in the FIR.
In response, Pauly took to Instagram to declare that the allegations are ‘entirely untrue’ and stated that he intends to address the matter legally.
‘I have come across a false news report accusing me of abusing a girl. Please know that this is entirely untrue. I’m determined to go to any extent to prove these allegations are baseless and will take all necessary steps to bring those responsible to light. Thank you for your concern. The rest will be handled legally,’ he said in a post.
At a press conference, Nivin Pauly said, ‘An FIR (First Information Report) has been registered against me. I will fight it legally. I am willing to go to any lengths to prove my innocence as such fake allegations can be made against anyone. I am speaking for all of them. If I don't, such incidents will continue to happen.’
He clarified that about a month and a half ago, he received a phone call from a police officer regarding a similar complaint that the woman had previously filed against him.
He said, ‘The circle inspector read out the FIR to me over the phone. I explained that I did not know her. At that time, it was termed a fake case. I asked the inspector if I should file a counter complaint for a fake case. The police officer said that I shouldn't waste my time. I am yet to read the new FIR.’
Labeling the accusations as a conspiracy, Nivin Pauly stated that he neither knows the woman nor has spoken to her. He did acknowledge being acquainted with one of the individuals named in the FIR. According to the complaint, the alleged incident occurred in Dubai in November 2023.
The 'Thuramukham' actor explained that he met a film producer at a Dubai mall, who then introduced him to another person mentioned in the FIR, who was intended to contribute half of the funding for the film.
‘I wondered if it was someone who came for the audition back then. I called up the director to check with them, and he said that the audition did not take place. I don't know if she took a selfie with me, because lots of people do,’ he remarked.
The case against Nivin Pauly and five others has been registered in Kerala's Ernakulam. Sreya is named as the first accused, followed by AK Sunil, a producer, and others including Binu, Basheer, Kuttan, and Nivin Pauly, who is the sixth accused.
The sexual assault allegations against Nivin Pauly have sent shockwaves through the film industry. Since the release of the Hema Committee report on August 19, which revealed widespread sexual harassment, casting couch practices, and lobbying in the Malayalam film industry, many women have come forward with their own stories. This has led to accusations of sexual misconduct against several prominent actors and filmmakers, including Jayasurya, Siddique, Baburaj, Idavela Babu, and directors Ranjith and Thulasidas, among others.
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