Director Jude Antony Alleges Misconduct on Film Set; Government Announces Investigation

Director Jude Antony has publicly addressed a troubling incident involving a junior artist on the set of his film 2018. In an interview with 24, Antony revealed that a prominent actor misbehaved with a female junior artist during the filming. He emphasized that the actor in question played a significant role in the film.

According to Antony, after the incident was brought to his attention, the problematic actor was replaced with another performer to complete the film. Antony has called for the identities of those involved to be disclosed, stating that evidence should be made public and that the perpetrators must be held accountable.

Antony also voiced concerns about broader issues within the film industry, including drug use, and stressed the need for a comprehensive investigation rather than focusing solely on one issue. He recounted an experience where he had to wait for hours for a lead actor to arrive on set. Despite arriving late, the actor reportedly insisted on filming his scenes first, leading to further complaints from the producer about additional financial demands.

In response to the allegations, the government has announced the formation of a special investigation team. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan confirmed the appointment of the team following consultations with the Director General of Police (DGP). The seven-member team will be led by Crime Branch ADGP H. Venkatesh and includes S. Ajitha Begum, G. Poonkuzhali, Aishwarya Donkare, Merrin Joseph, V. Ajith, and S. Madhusudanan. The team will investigate the complaints, and a case will be filed if the accusations are substantiated.