‘I’m selfish, I needed work’: Rima Kallingal on working with MeToo-accused director Sajin Babu

Rima Kallingal revealed that her primary reason for working with director Sajin Babu—who has faced MeToo allegations of mistreatment from two women in the film industry—was that she “is selfish” and “really needed work”. Despite the controversy, Rima explained that her personal necessity to keep working in a difficult industry outweighed other concerns.

Rima said, “I am selfish. I really needed this movie. Amid all the fussing, as an actor, I needed work. That was the primary reason.” She was speaking at the Express Dialogues event.

She further elaborated on Sajin Babu’s unique response amid the MeToo movement, “He happened to be the only person in this whole melee who actually accepted that what he did was wrong. He expressed regret. Acceptance by the perpetrator is a just step if survivors want to move forward.”

Rima emphasised that while she respects his apology, she is “nobody to define what justice is”, and the “final say” rests with the survivors.

Commenting on the realities of working in the Malayalam film industry as a female actor, Rima shared the difficulties she faces: “I can’t say I only work with good people. I am not privileged like that. I am one of the marginalised ones, singled out and isolated. But if I were directing or producing a film tomorrow, I would definitely say that I won’t work with this person or so. I can find someone else to replace him easily. As an actor, especially a female actor, I feel completely powerless and almost non-existent.”

Rima also acknowledged her own accountability in the situation: “I accept I had responsibility. I am guilty, and yes, selfish.”

Rima also revealed her prior knowledge of the situation and ongoing complexities: “I had spoken with him and know all sides of the story. The issue has been covered extensively by the media.”

When asked if Sajin Babu had not accepted his wrongdoing and expressed regret, she said, “If he had not apologised, then it would have been very very different. There are many issues that haven’t come out in the open yet, which I know about. Deciding not to work with any of them is not possible for me right now. I can’t create my own industry at this point; I have to figure out how to move forward.”

Rima Kallingal plays the lead role in ‘Theater: The Myth of Reality’, directed by Sajin Babu. His last film ‘Biriyani’, starring Kani Kusruti, received special jury mention for direction at the National Film Awards.