Actress Ashwini Nambiar Opens Up About Sexual Harassment by Malayalam Director

 Actress Ashwini Nambiar (Rudra) has made a shocking revelation against a Malayalam film director. In an interview with a Tamil channel, Ashwini stated that the director, under the pretense of discussing something important, called her to his room and sexually harassed her while she was working on a film. Since she had previously worked with the director, she trusted him and went to his room when he insisted he had something urgent to discuss. However, once she entered, he took advantage of her. Ashwini recalled that she was too young at the time to even comprehend what was happening to her.

Ashwini, who played the role of Alli in Manichitrathazhu, also gained recognition for her role as Jayaram’s love interest in Dhruvam. She has acted in numerous Malayalam and Tamil films, including Manichitrathazhu, Ayushkalam, and Hitler, as well as several television serials. After her marriage, she took a break from the film industry but recently made a grand comeback in the second season of the Amazon Prime series Suzhal.

Ashwini Nambiar’s Statement:

"I have never shared the traumatic experience I faced from a Malayalam director until now. Last year, I spoke about this on a television show, which is probably where you saw it. However, I wouldn’t call this a case of casting couch; instead, I would say I was trapped in an unfortunate situation. I won’t reveal his name—I have forgiven and moved on.

He was a renowned director. He asked me to come to his office, saying there was something important to discuss. My mother usually accompanied me wherever I went, as she was my strength. With her around, I felt like I had a hundred people protecting me. That day, however, she was unwell and couldn’t come. Instead, she asked me to take my hairdresser along.

The director’s office was within his house. I expected to discuss things in the office, but I was told he was upstairs and wanted to talk there. When I called my hairdresser to come along, she said she was uncomfortable and asked me to go alone. I was just a teenager at the time, playful and innocent. I went upstairs laughing, but when I got there, no one was around. I heard a voice from the bedroom asking me to come inside. Since I had worked with this director before, I trusted him and walked in.

As a naïve teenager, I didn’t expect anything bad to happen. But once inside, he behaved inappropriately with me. When I came back downstairs, I was no longer the same cheerful girl who had gone up. I couldn’t even fully understand what had happened. I was confused—was it my fault? Was it his fault? Or had I created the opportunity for this to happen?

When I reached home, my mother sensed that something was wrong. I didn’t know how to tell her what had happened. She had always been my protector, shielding me from harm. Eventually, I gathered the courage to tell her, and it broke her. She cried uncontrollably, blaming herself for not being there with me. But I felt like I was the one who had failed her.

I was overwhelmed with guilt and pain. I decided to end my life that night and consumed sleeping pills. I didn’t know what else to do. My family rushed me to the hospital and saved me. Later, my mother told me, ‘This is not your fault. You need to understand that. It was his mistake, not yours. Don’t ever think of doing something like this again. I can’t live without you.’

The director wasn’t a young man—he was as old as my father. That incident was a lesson for me. My mother’s words gave me strength, and I decided to fight back. After that, I continued acting, but without my mother by my side. I realized I had the strength to face anything on my own. That experience made me fearless."

On Her Comeback to Acting:

"I always knew I would return to acting one day. Now that my daughter is in college, the timing felt right. I never said I would quit acting after marriage. My plan was always to take a break and return later. Chennai has always felt like home to me, no matter where I lived. Even when I was abroad, I visited Chennai at least six times a year.

Living in Singapore and traveling to Chennai for acting wasn’t easy. So, I decided to wait until my daughter grew up. In the meantime, I pursued a Master’s degree in English and worked as a college professor for 13 years. Acting is my passion, not just a profession. I always knew I would come back.

Last year, when I felt it was finally the right time, a project came my way as if it was meant to be. I was offered a role in the second season of Suzhal on Amazon Prime. The first season was a massive hit. I have known Pushkar-Gayathri’s team for a long time, having worked with them earlier in Oram Po. Many people don’t recognize me in that film because I was completely transformed with a dark-skinned look.

In Suzhal 2, I play Malathi, the wife of Lal sir’s character. I have scenes with actors like Kathir, Amit, and Atul. The female characters in Suzhal are all beautifully written, and Malathi is a calm, composed woman. It was a fantastic experience. Now that Suzhal 2 has been released, I will wait for audience feedback before choosing my next project."

Ashwini Nambiar’s revelations have reignited discussions about workplace harassment in the Malayalam film industry, emphasizing the need for a safer environment for actors.