Women in Cinema Collective to honor 2017 attack victim with candlelight vigil
The Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) has called for Avalakoppam candlelight vigils across Kerala on February 17, the anniversary of the 2017 Malayalam actor attack case.
The Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) is organizing a candlelight vigil at Avalakoppam (With Her) on 17 February, inviting people from across Kerala to stand in solidarity with the survivors of the 2017 Malayalam actor attack case. The meetings are scheduled to be held in Kozhikode, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram at 6 pm. This date marks nine years of the incident that led to the formation of the collective and the #Avalakoppam movement.
In a statement, the WCC described February 17 as ‘the deepest wound’ and the day when survivors ‘boldly spoke out against their violators.’ Her decision to file a complaint the next day inspired change in the Malayalam film industry, encouraging others to speak out about workplace safety.
The WCC has called on ‘everyone who stands with her and all survivors’ to join the gathering, highlighting the ongoing demand for justice. The campaign has received support on social media, with the hashtag #Avalakoppam being shared widely.
However, the choice of February 17 as the date for the event has sparked debate online. Some individuals have expressed concern that commemorating the event on its anniversary may inadvertently reopen wounds among survivors.
Carl LaFrenis, a social media influencer, commented that ‘some dates aren’t just dates’ and the treatment ‘deserves sensitivity’. He acknowledged the intention, saying, “To stand in solidarity. To honor courage. To show collective strength,” but questioned whether commemorating the exact anniversary was the best approach.
He added, “Some dates aren’t just dates. They carry memory. They carry weight. They carry what someone is trying to pursue,” and said his comments were borne out of ‘respect’ and ‘genuine concern’. LaFrenis said, “To the world, it’s a date. To someone, it may still be a wound.”
Many online users echoed these sentiments. One user wrote, “Even small memories leave trauma scars. It takes a lifetime to heal. They could have chosen her date of birth to stand by her, because she is the one we are honoring, not what happened to her.”
Here are some reactions:
The 2017 case involved the kidnapping and assault of a prominent Malayalam actor inside a vehicle. In December 2025, the Ernakulam District and Sessions Court sentenced six persons to 20 years in prison, while actor Dileep and three others were acquitted.
