'Bhagyalakshmi humiliated survivors': Makeup artist sends letter to Kerala CM

A female makeup artist has written an open letter to the Kerala Chief Minister detailing the sexual harassment she faced in the film industry.  

In the letter, she alleged that she was sexually harassed by a makeup artist named Saji Koratty in 2014. When she complained to FEFKA about the incident, she stated that no action was taken. Instead, she was pressured to 'make adjustments' because she had '65 days of work in Ooty.'

She also revealed that when she objected to the harassment, she was dismissed from her job. The makeup artist explained that when she spoke about losing her job on Facebook, many people urged her to file a police complaint. 

Accusations against Bhagyalakshmi and FEFKA  

“The birth and death of the women’s organisation in FEFKA happened on the same day. Bhagyalakshmi’s lust for power, ego, and double standards destroyed this organisation,” she wrote, blaming dubbing artist Bhagyalakshmi for its collapse.

She accused Bhagyalakshmi of destroying the organisation with ego and double standards. 

Following the release of the Hema Committee report, FEFKA’s women’s organisation held a meeting. The complainant alleged that during this meeting, Bhagyalakshmi humiliated and defamed the women who had filed complaints, in front of both men and women present at the meeting.

“Two days later, Bhagyalakshmi’s supporters who were ‘tutored’ held a press conference where they further insulted the complainants, revealing their identities and pushing them to the brink of suicide,” she wrote.  

She also criticised Bhagyalakshmi for not supporting the survivors.

“She did not inquire about the survivors’ issues or provide psychological support. Instead, she isolated them and put them under immense mental pressure.”  

Allegations of organisational misconduct  

The makeup artist stated that the new women’s organisation within FEFKA was formed without informing the permanent members.

"None of the women who were permanent members knew about the formation of the new women’s organisation. It was formed by informing only a few women who supported her every decision. The union functions like a radio, where members are only expected to listen. Due to this, another makeup artist reportedly created a separate group in which the members of the committee raised their issues," she said.

“Based on something said in that WhatsApp group, the secretary expelled me, denied me employment, and barred me from working. These actions are heinous,” she claimed.  

"By expelling complainants, protecting the accused, and denying employment, the makeup union is committing anti-organisational acts. These women have filed complaints with evidence. While the government advocates for women’s safety, leaders of this film organisation continue to humiliate women film workers," she added.

Concerns about women’s safety  

The artist also raised concerns about other incidents of misconduct in the industry, pointing out that a joint secretary named Subramanian Manjali was not expelled even after allegations that he molested a four-year-old girl.

"What do they think about women’s safety? When can we work without fear? This is the honest statement of an ordinary woman," she wrote.

She concluded her letter by stating that she is living in extreme poverty and is on the verge of suicide.