Malayalam actor and politician Mukesh has found himself at the centre of serious allegations of physical and verbal abuse, as well as sexual harassment, following the revelations from the Hema Committee report, which has exposed numerous dark truths about the Malayalam film industry. Among those who have accused Mukesh of misconduct is a junior artist, whose claims have added to the growing list of troubling accusations. These recent allegations, however, are not the first time Mukesh has faced such serious charges; his former wife, Saritha, had made similar allegations over a decade ago. ALSO READ: 2 Times Kerala MLA Mukesh KICKED Out From Film Body Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations
Mukesh was married to Saritha from 1988 until their divorce in 2011. Following the end of their marriage, Saritha publicly spoke out about the years of torment she endured, describing a relationship fraught with torture and abuse. In an interview from around 10 years ago, Saritha revealed how she had suffered in silence during the marriage, largely out of respect for her father-in-law. She recounted harrowing incidents, including one where Mukesh allegedly kicked her in the stomach while she was pregnant, causing her to fall into the yard. Despite her tears, she claimed Mukesh dismissed her pain, cruelly telling her she was merely acting. ALSO READ: Hema Committee Report Case: Sonia Malhar Demands Action Against ‘Womanisers’; Actress Says, ‘Might Disclose The Names To The Media’
One particularly shocking incident Saritha described occurred when she was nine months pregnant. She recalled how Mukesh, after taking her out for dinner, played a distressing game by moving their car forward and backward as she tried to get in, eventually causing her to fall when she tried to keep up with the vehicle. Saritha also alleged that Mukesh would come home drunk and late at night, and when questioned, he would respond with violence, dragging her by her hair and beating her.
Saritha attributed much of their marital strife to Mukesh's extramarital affairs, claiming that he was involved with several other women during their marriage. Despite the abuse and infidelity, she said she continued to hope that Mukesh would realize his mistakes and return to her. The couple would even go so far as to pose for happy family photos during occasions like Onam, trying to maintain an appearance of normalcy for the public.
Ultimately, Saritha decided to end the marriage in 2011, and the couple divorced. Mukesh, for his part, denied all of her accusations, but the resurfacing of these allegations alongside the new claims from the junior artist has brought renewed scrutiny to his past actions. As the Hema report continues to shed light on the darker side of Mollywood, Mukesh’s legacy and reputation are likely to face further challenges.
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