Malayalam actress Bhavana opens up about her sexual assault encounter, says ' I want my dignity back'

Actress Bhavana Menon, who predominantly works in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada movies talked about her sexual assault experience. Back in 2017, she was abducted and sexually assaulted by a gang of men while going home from a filming location. After the main accuser, Pulsar Sunil, confessed that the attack was carried out by prominent Malayalam actor Dileep, the event quickly escalated into a big issue. Dileep was taken into custody and is presently being held on bail.

The acclaimed actress broke her five-year silence in a live chat with a private YouTube channel, 'The Mojo Story,' and announced that she will fight hard without worrying about the outcome. The Nammal (2002) actress said, "My dignity has been shredded to a million pieces,". She added, "It was sheer willpower that kept me going." Despite her family and friends' tremendous support, the actress admitted to feeling lonely.

She recalls spending 15 days in the courtroom in 2020, from daylight to evening. She had to establish her innocence every time a lawyer interrogated her and she was probed by a battery of seven lawyers.

Bhavana said that the culprits insulted her on social media following the horrific occurrence, and that she was rejected acting roles in the Malayalam film business as a result of the incident. Directors Ashik Abu and Shaji Kailas, actor-turned-director Prithviraj, and actor Jayasurya were notable outliers.

Bhavana even took part in an event called 'Global Town Hall,' which was organised in conjunction with 'We the Women of Asia' in honour of Women's Day.

Bhavana was seen responding to the host's and prominent journalist Barkha Dutt's queries. She claimed she received abuse on social media, with people accusing her of staying out late on news networks. Some speculated that she was faking a story to seek sympathy.