Malayalam actor Nivin Pauly booked in rape case; he says allegations ‘entirely untrue’

The case will be probed by the Special Investigation Team formed to investigate sexual misconduct complaints coming from the Malayalam film industry in the aftermath of the release of the Justice Hema Committee report.

Malayalam actor Nivin Pauly. (Photo: Nivin Pauly/X)

A rape case was registered Tuesday against Malayalam movie star Nivin Pauly after a woman alleged in a complaint that he sexually abused her at a hotel in Dubai last year after promising her a role in a film. Pauly has denied the allegations.

The woman, from Ernakulam district, also named five others, including a producer, in her complaint. Pauly was named as the sixth accused in the FIR.

Taking to Instagram, Pauly said the allegations were “entirely untrue” and that he would handle it 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.

The case will be probed by the Special Investigation Team formed to investigate sexual misconduct complaints coming from the Malayalam film industry in the aftermath of the release of the Justice Hema Committee report. The report released last month detailed the various issues faced by women in the industry, and found that this included rampant sexual misconduct.

Also Read | Chinmayi on Tamil cinema introspecting in the wake of Hema Committee Report: ‘Nothing will happen… how long can I fight?’

Police said an FIR was registered under various IPC sections, including section 376 (rape). The incident took place in November 2023, as per the complaint.

In the days after the Hema Committee report’s release, a number of actors had come out with allegations against some of the veterans of the Malayalam film industry. This led to cases being registered against actor and ruling CPI(M) MLA Mukesh, as well as other prominent actors Jayasurya, Baburaj, Siddique, and others. Film director Ranjith also had cases registered against him following sexual misconduct allegations, which also led to his resignation as chairperson of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy.

Shaju Philip

Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India. Expertise, Experience, and Authority Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes: Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration. Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules. Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram