Latest news with #ManiyanpillaRaju
India Gazette
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India Gazette
Malayalam actor Minu Muneer arrested by Kochi Cyber Police over defamation complaint, later granted bail
Kochi (Kerala) [India], July 2 (ANI): Malayalam actor Minu Muneer was arrested by the Kochi Cyber Police following a defamation complaint filed by veteran filmmaker and actor Balachandra Menon. The arrest stems from allegations Muneer made on social media, which Menon claimed were defamatory in nature. She was released on bail shortly after being taken into custody. The Kerala High Court had earlier dismissed her anticipatory bail plea. She is the first accused in the case, which was registered in 2024. She reportedly made repeated derogatory posts about him on social media. Minu Muneer also filed a complaint against actor and MLA M Mukesh, who represents the Kollam Assembly constituency and is a leader of the CPI(M). Meanwhile, the arrest marks a new development in a controversy that has roiled the Malayalam film industry in recent months. In a series of social media posts and subsequent interviews, Muneer had publicly accused several prominent industry figures of sexual misconduct and abuse during their professional collaborations. In August last year, Muneer named actors Mukesh, Jayasurya, Maniyanpilla Raju, and Idavela Babu, alleging both verbal and physical harassment. She also mentioned Advocate Chandrasekharan, production controller Noble, and an individual named Vichu. 'I am writing to report a series of incidents of physical and verbal abuse I suffered at the hands of Mukesh, Maniyanpilla Raju, Idavela Babu, Jayasoorya, Advocate Chandrasekharan, production controller Noble and Vichu, in the Malayalam film industry,' she wrote, claiming the incidents forced her to leave the Malayalam film industry and shift to Chennai. In a detailed account given to ANI, Muneer expanded on her allegations. 'Once, as I was coming out from the toilet, Jayasurya hugged me from behind and even kissed me forcefully... After that, Idavela Babu expressed his interest in a sexual relationship with me,' she said. She also accused actor-producer Maniyanpilla Raju of making inappropriate suggestions about her hotel stay during a film shoot, describing his behaviour as 'unprofessional and unsettling.' The incidents she referred to reportedly date back to 2013. The allegations surfaced in the wake of growing dissent within the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), following unrelated controversies that led to the resignations of director Ranjith and actor Siddique from their posts in the organisation. (ANI)
Mint
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Malayalam actor Minu Muneer arrested by Kochi Cyber Police over defamation complaint, later granted bail
Kochi (Kerala) [India], July 2 (ANI): Malayalam actor Minu Muneer was arrested by the Kochi Cyber Police following a defamation complaint filed by veteran filmmaker and actor Balachandra Menon. The arrest stems from allegations Muneer made on social media, which Menon claimed were defamatory in nature. She was released on bail shortly after being taken into custody. The Kerala High Court had earlier dismissed her anticipatory bail plea. She is the first accused in the case, which was registered in 2024. She reportedly made repeated derogatory posts about him on social media. Minu Muneer also filed a complaint against actor and MLA M Mukesh, who represents the Kollam Assembly constituency and is a leader of the CPI(M). Meanwhile, the arrest marks a new development in a controversy that has roiled the Malayalam film industry in recent months. In a series of social media posts and subsequent interviews, Muneer had publicly accused several prominent industry figures of sexual misconduct and abuse during their professional collaborations. In August last year, Muneer named actors Mukesh, Jayasurya, Maniyanpilla Raju, and Idavela Babu, alleging both verbal and physical harassment. She also mentioned Advocate Chandrasekharan, production controller Noble, and an individual named Vichu. "I am writing to report a series of incidents of physical and verbal abuse I suffered at the hands of Mukesh, Maniyanpilla Raju, Idavela Babu, Jayasoorya, Advocate Chandrasekharan, production controller Noble and Vichu, in the Malayalam film industry," she wrote, claiming the incidents forced her to leave the Malayalam film industry and shift to Chennai. In a detailed account given to ANI, Muneer expanded on her allegations. "Once, as I was coming out from the toilet, Jayasurya hugged me from behind and even kissed me forcefully... After that, Idavela Babu expressed his interest in a sexual relationship with me," she said. She also accused actor-producer Maniyanpilla Raju of making inappropriate suggestions about her hotel stay during a film shoot, describing his behaviour as "unprofessional and unsettling." The incidents she referred to reportedly date back to 2013. The allegations surfaced in the wake of growing dissent within the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), following unrelated controversies that led to the resignations of director Ranjith and actor Siddique from their posts in the organisation. (ANI)
India.com
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
This hero did 380 films, shot with Mammootty, Mohanlal, ignored pain on set, what doctors found next shocked him, his name is…
Many celebrities in Indian cinema have died due to cancer, and many have won the battle against this disease. Celebrities like Rishi Kapoor and Irrfan Khan have died of cancer in the industry, while famous faces like Yuvraj Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Sonali Bendre, Manisha Koirala, and Lisa Ray have defeated this deadly disease. These days, Hina Khan is recovering from cancer, and meanwhile, news is coming from the South cinema, where an actor is battling a deadly disease. Famous Malayalam cinema actor Maniyanpilla Raju is suffering from cancer. Recently, he played the lead role in the super duper hit film 'Thudaram' starring Mohanlal. During the shooting of the same film, Maniyanpilla Raju suddenly got severe pain in his ear. When he went to the hospital for a scan, he was shocked because the doctor saw symptoms of a deadly disease in him. The scan revealed that he had cancer (throat cancer) in the lower part of his tongue. The hero was shocked to hear the name of the disease Maniyanpilla Raju, who is suffering from cancer, was shocked to hear the doctor say that his life is over now. But when he told Mammootty about this, he encouraged him to undergo treatment. Talking about this, Maniyanpilla Raju said, 'I thought the cancer was gone. That's when I told Mammootty about it. Mammootty's encouragement, 'You have to fight and come back.' Mammootty has inspired him to undergo chemotherapy. Worked with Mammootty, Dileep, and Mohanlal Maniyanpilla Raju entered the cinema by acting in stage plays. Later, he became a leading actor of Malayalam cinema. He used to play any kind of role, like hero, villain, comedian, or character actor. He has acted with major heroes like Mohanlal, Mammootty, and Dileep. In total, he has acted in 380 films in 50 years. Maniyanpilla Raju, who has been undergoing treatment for cancer for the last year, has undergone chemotherapy five times and now his health is fine, and he has also started participating in shooting.
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First Post
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- First Post
Hema Committee Report: Kerala Police not to investigate sexual harassment cases as survivors fail to provide statements, actress Parvathy Thiruvothu slams Kerala CM
There are at least 30 cases that have reached chargesheet level and proceedings against those personalities are going. The names include Mukesh, Maniyanpilla Raju, and director Ranjith read more The Malayalam movie industry took a bold and much-needed step last year when a committee by the name of Hema was established to unearth the dark side of some influential and powerful personalities of the film fraternity. A lot of cases of sexual harassment came into light. As per a report by The Hindu, the Kerala Police won't be investigating the matters further as the survivors haven't provided them with their statements. There are at least 30 cases that have reached chargesheet level and proceedings against those personalities are going. The names include Mukesh, Maniyanpilla Raju, and director Ranjith. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Actress Parvathy Thiruvothu has now tagged the Kerala CM on her Instagram story and slammed him by saying, 'Now can we focus on the actual reason this Committee was formed. Putting policies in place to help make regulations in the industry? What is happening with that CMO Kerala? No rush eh, it has been only five-and-a-half years since the report was submitted.' In the wake of various sexual allegations cropping up against many of its members, all office-bearers of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) including its president and top actor Mohanlal, resigned from their positions last year. In a statement, the association said the administrative panel resigned as such, taking moral responsibility for the allegations. Hema Commission's report exposed some shocking revelations about the Malayalam Film Industry, known for its out-of-the-box yet relevant stories. The report was also an expose of the toxicity of the people that work there and how they had been misusing their power and clout to prey on women that have the desire to act and be on celluloid.
New Indian Express
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Giving up was never an option for me: Actor Maniyanpilla Raju
His next-door-neighbourly charm has been alluring to Malayali audiences for the past 50 years. His stint as a producer too was equally successful with many hit films including Aye Auto and Kannezhuthi Pottum Thottu to his credit. In an interaction with TNIE, Maniyanpilla Raju opens up about his journey filled with ups and downs, close ties with the 'Big Ms' of Mollywood, how the industry has changed over the years, how he happened to identify talents like Rahman and Prithviraj, and how he survived cancer. Excerpts: How do you reflect on your 50-year-long film career? I hail from a non-artistic background, but my passion has always driven me. After being rejected by the Pune Film Institute, I went to the Adyar Film Institute where I was selected as the first Malayali acting student. K Balachander and M N Rajam chose me for the screen test, marking the true beginning of my journey. I graduated in 1975 and started off with Mohiniyattom, directed by Sreekumaran Thampi. I was never ready to give up and that has made me what I am today. At the time, few pursued acting as a formal study. Did your family support your decision? I have been passionate about acting since school and viewed it as my path forward. My father used to tell me that I wasn't good at studies, so I should enrol for LLB (laughs out). During my time at the film institute, I managed with Rs 100 a month. Initially, I stayed in a good hostel in Madras, then moved to Uma Lodge in Kodambakkam. I shared a small, sweltering top-storey room with another person for Rs 45. Mallika, my classmate from Model School, introduced me to Sreekumaran Thampi. When I met him with my portfolio, he bluntly said I wouldn't make it in an industry dominated by Adoor Bhasi and Prem Nazir. 'Have you ever checked your face in the mirror?' he asked. He even advised me to return home by the evening train. But soon after, he called to offer me a small role in Mohiniyattom... and that became my cinema entry.
