Malayalam actor Siddique has resigned from the post of General Secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) following allegations of sexual harassment by a female actor. He has officially submitted his resignation to AMMA president Mohanlal.

“Yes. I have submitted my official resignation to the organisation’s president Mohanlal. Since there were allegations against me, I have decided not to continue in the post and have resigned,” Siddiqui told a television channel.

A Malayalam actress had accused him of sexual misconduct in 2019 and now she has spoken about it again. Sharing details of the incident, she said, “A Malayalam film was being screened at Neela theatre. He called me to Mascot Hotel to discuss the film. I went there. It happened when I was 21 years old.”

She further added, “His approach, like others, was to lovingly call me ‘beti’. At that time, I did not know that his approach was like that. I did not know this would happen. I went to that hotel with a very professional approach. I realised later, when I became an adult, that no such film ever existed. He sexually exploited me in that hotel. It was a trap. Whatever he is saying now is a complete lie.”

She also added, “As I said, what he has done to many victims including me is rape. I know I am speaking to the media and understand how the victims who are listening to this must be feeling right now. But if I have to speak frankly, I would tell you that he has treated me like that.”

She further added, “He touched me without my permission. He physically assaulted me, kicked me and tripped me. The face he has made now is a lie. When he says all this is a criminal offence, he himself is a criminal. I really hope he has a mirror in his house. If not, I would be happy to gift him one. I am pretty sure he lies to himself every day. The price I had to pay was my dreams, my time and a lot of mental problems that I had to go through. No one should have to go through all this. Because when I knocked the doors of justice, no one gave me justice. No matter who it is, no matter what the system is, I never got justice.”

The allegations come amid turmoil in the Malayalam film industry after the Justice Hema Committee report exposed several cases of casting couch and sexual abuse. The report exposed harassment and exploitation of women in Malayalam cinema, leading to demands for accountability.