The former CEO of American fashion brand Abercrombie & Fitch is facing fresh allegations of abuse at sex events across the world, according to a BBC investigation.

A BBC Panorama investigation in October last year had first revealed claims that Mike Jeffries and his British partner Matthew Smith exploited young men between 2009 and 2015. A lawsuit was filed against Jeffries, Smith and Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) last year, alleging “international sex trafficking and abuse of prospective models”. Eight more men have now come forward to the BBC.

A witness said he went to a sex event in Spain with Jeffries and his partner, believing it was a photoshoot, the report said. “It was like a movie set of an Abercrombie store,” he told the BBC about the event in 2011. Then aged 20, he said he was offered a chance to feature in a company advert if he flew from his home in Los Angeles to Madrid to meet the CEO of A&F.

The night before the event, he said he was paid EUR 3,500 in cash, which he believed was general spending money for his three-day stay in Madrid.

On the night of the event, he was guided to their hotel suite where he said Jeffries and his partner Smith immediately started touching him and Jeffries forcibly kissed him. The former Abercrombie chief then performed oral sex on him, he said as per the BBC.

“I tried to say no repeatedly. And then I just got kind of convinced to do something. But I constantly was saying no, and I wanted to go,” he told the BBC.

A middleman, who worked as a talent scout and executive assistant for Jeffries, offered him the opportunity, he added.

According to multiple witnesses, young men were also injected with liquid viagra by Jeffries’ assistants. One man told the BBC that he felt he was “going to die” after one of these injections caused an extreme reaction during an event in New York at Jeffries’ home. He said he felt hot and dizzy but nobody called an ambulance.

A middleman linked to the events denied any wrongdoing, adding that men participated “with their eyes wide open”.
In the aftermath of the BBC’s report, the FBI had reportedly launched an investigation into the claims. But enforcement officials have declined to comment.

Jeffries, 80, who was the CEO of A&F from 1992 to 2014, has denied all allegations.

Actor Sruthi Hariharan.
| Photo Credit: MURALI KUMAR K

Kannada actor Sruthi Hariharan has called for a forum in the Kannada film industry along the lines of the K. Hema Committee, which was constituted by the Government of Kerala following Women in Cinema Collective’s (WCC) petition in 2017.

Published recently, the Hema Committee report revealed horrid tales of sexual exploitation, illegal bans, discrimination, drug and alcohol abuse, wage disparity and in some cases, inhuman working conditions in the Malayalam film industry. Following the report, allegations of sexual harassment from several women have rocked Mollywood.

Sruthi, known for films such as Lucia, Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu, Beautiful Manasugalu and Nathicharami, took to Instagram to express her opinion on the ongoing issue. “It would be great to have a committee similar to that of the Justice K. Hema Committee for an unbiased and fair investigation on the working conditions of women across all departments of the Kannada film industry,” she wrote.

“Please don’t sensationalise this and just focus on the sexual harassment angle. A committee like this will go far beyond just that and help uplift and empower women in many other ways,” added the National Award-winning actor.

In 2018, Sruthi had accused popular actor Arjun Sarja of sexual harassment amidst the #MeToo wave. Even as Sarja denied the allegations, Sruthi filed a complaint against Sarja with the Cubbon Park police station in Bengaluru. Three years after the complaint, the investigation was closed by the cops due to ‘lack of evidence’.

In 2019, the actor had said that she didn’t regret raising her voice but felt victimised for doing so. “I have sacrificed my career opportunities in the medium of expression I liked the most,” she had told The Hindu.

Recently, leading women actors, producers and directors demanded that the Telangana government release the 2022 report on sexual harassment in the Telugu film industry. Actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu had said that she “welcomed the Hema Committee report and applauded the persistent efforts of the WCC in Kerala.”

In the Tamil film industry, veteran actor Radhika Sarathkumar said that actors harbouring political ambitions should voice support for women from their own industry. She added that it’s the responsibility of the producers to make sure a film set is a conducive environment for women artistes.

Kochi:

Actor Siddique on Monday approached the Kerala High Court seeking anticipatory bail in a sexual assault case filed against him. The actor’s legal move comes amid the ongoing “Me Too” storm, which has shaken the Malayalam film industry.

The case against Siddique was filed after the police in Thiruvananthapuram registered an FIR based on a complaint from a female actor.

Earlier this week, Siddique quit as the general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) along with its entire 17-member executive committee following serious allegations of sexual abuse made by several female actors against prominent Malayalam cinema figures, including director Ranjith and actors Siddique and Mukesh.

Apart from Siddique, actors including Mukesh, Jayasurya, Edavela Babu, Maniyanpilla Raju and director Ranjith were booked in sexual assault cases.

Sexual assault allegations against prominent figures in the Malayalam film industry followed after the Justice Hema Committee report disclosing some shocking details of crimes against women in the industry were made public.

The report containing shocking accounts of harassment, exploitation, and ill-treatment of women professionals took the whole industry by storm.

The report, made public on August 19, after redacting the names of witnesses and the accused, noted that the Malayalam film industry is controlled by about 10 to 15 male producers, directors, and actors who dominate and exert control over the industry.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Denying the sexual harassment allegations against him, actor Jayasurya today said that he would take legal action. The case is among the avalanche of sexual assault and rape allegations against some of Mollywood’s biggest names, including veteran actor Siddique and filmmaker Ranjith Balakrishnan.

Two actors have filed cases against Jayasurya, both of which the actor claimed are false.

“I have decided to move forward with this legally. My legal team will be looking after the rest of the proceedings regarding this case. False allegations are easy to make for anyone who lacks a conscience. I only hope one realises that facing a false accusation of harassment is just as painful as the harassment itself,” Jayasurya said in an Instagram post.

“A lie always travels faster than the truth but I believe truth will prevail. All the legal proceedings to prove my innocence will continue. I have complete faith in our judicial system. Thank you to those who contributed to making this birthday the most painful one,” he added.

The MeToo storm in the Malayalam film industry started after the report by Justice Hema Committee, which details allegations of sexual harassment by women in the industry, was made public. The 235-page report, published after redacting names of witnesses and the accused, notes that the Malayalam film industry is controlled by 10-15 male producers, directors, and actors.

Also read: Hidden cameras in movie caravans to film women change, alleges actor

Actor Minu Muneer has accused Jayasurya and M Mukesh of sexual harassment during the shooting of a movie in 2013.

Speaking to NDTV, the actor shared her harrowing ordeal. “I had a bitter experience while shooting for a film. I had gone to the toilet and when I came out, Jayasurya hugged me from behind and kissed me without my consent. I was shocked and I ran out,” she said, adding that the actor offered her more work if she was willing to be with him.

New Delhi:

Actor Mohanlal today praised the government for releasing the Justice Hema Committee report, which details allegations of sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry. The former Association of Malayalam Movie Actors (AMMA) president’s remarks come in the light of an avalanche of sexual assault and rape allegations against some of Mollywood’s biggest names, including veteran actor Siddique and filmmaker Ranjith Balakrishnan.

“We welcome the Hema Committee report. It was the right decision by the government to release that report. AMMA cannot answer all the questions. These questions should be asked from everyone. This is a very hardworking industry. Many people are involved in it. But everyone cannot be blamed for this. Those responsible will be punished, investigation is going on,” the actor said.

The 235-page report by Justice Hema Committee, published after redacting names of witnesses and the accused, notes that the Malayalam film industry is controlled by 10-15 male producers, directors, and actors.

Mohanlal said he was not part of any power group in the Malayalam film industry and he has no knowledge of the existence of any such group in the sector. He said Malayalam cinema is a huge industry where thousands of people work and the actor’s association AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists) could not address issues that cropped up there.

This is the first time that Mohanlal has addressed the media since the release of the expert panel report.

“Wrongdoers should be punished if there is evidence against them,” the “Drishyam” actor said while referring to the allegations of sexual misconduct and assaults that surfaced against some of the members of the Association.

The 64-year-old resigned from his post at the AMMA earlier this month after the allegations surfaced, and was criticised by many for not staying in power and ensuring that the victims get justice.

Other members of the film body’s executive committee also submitted resignations as the #MeToo storm in the state grew stronger.

A statement from AMMA said the top decision-making body had taken “moral responsibility” and dissolved itself “in light of allegations made by some actors against some of the committee”.

New Delhi:

The #MeToo movement across the Malayalam film industry has created waves across the country with several young actors now speaking out about the abuse they faced at the hands of veteran directors, producers, and actors. Film director Ranjith now facing serious allegations of sexual misconduct, with two separate cases filed against him. The latest complaint has been lodged by a young actor who alleges he was sexually abused by Ranjith in 2012.

According to the complaint filed with the Kochi police, the victim was lured to a hotel in Bengaluru under the pretext of an audition. Ranjith allegedly forced the victim to strip and assaulted him, promising prominent roles in exchange. The victim claimed he believed it was part of the audition process and was even offered money the next morning.

This is the second case of sexual allegations against Ranjith. Earlier, a Bengali actor had filed a complaint against him, alleging sexual assault. The Kochi police have registered an FIR in connection with her complaint, which alleges that she was assaulted in a hotel in Kochi.

Ranjith denied the accusations, explaining that Mitra was called for an audition for the movie ‘Paleri Manikyam’, but he decided that she was not suitable for the role and sent her back.

Amid mounting pressure on the government, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday announced the establishment of a seven-member special investigation team for the probe into the allegations made in the wake of the Hema Committee report being published.

Ranjith, who was the Chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, quit the post on Sunday after tremendous pressure was put on the Pinarayi Vijayan government by the Opposition parties and the media had a field day ever since the Hema Committee report which was made public recently, exposing “rampant sexual abuse” in the Malayalam film industry.

New Delhi:

Amid a ‘#MeToo’ storm in the Malayalam film industry, actor-turned-politician Khushbu Sundar on Wednesday said the Kerala government-appointed Justice K Hema Committee was “much needed” to break the abuse faced by female professionals in cinema. Taking to her official X account, she said the “MeToo” moment prevailing in “our industry breaks you” and urged women not to compromise.

The Justice Hema Committee was constituted after the 2017 actress assault case and its report was made public last week. The 235-page report notes instances of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry.

“Kudos to the women who have stood their ground and emerged victorious,” Ms Sundar wrote in a long post on X.

“Abuse, asking for sexual favors, and expecting women to compromise to gain a foothold or accelerate their careers exist in every field. Why is a woman alone expected to go through the grind? Although men too face it, it’s marginally women who bear the brunt,” she added.

The fear of being shamed, victim blaming, and questions like “Why did you do it?” or “What made you do it?” break her, she said.

The victim might be a stranger to you or me, but she needs our “support, an ear to listen, and emotional backing” from us all, Ms Sundar, a BJP leader, said.

“When questioning why she didn’t come out earlier, we need to consider her circumstances – not everyone is privileged to speak out,” she added.

Khushbu Sundar On Father’s Abuse

Khushbu Sundar said some people ask her what took her so long to speak about her father’s abuse.

“I agree I should have spoken earlier. But what happened to me, was not a compromise to build my career. I was abused at the hands of the person who was supposed to provide me the strongest arms to hold me if I fell,” she wrote

This moment of #MeToo prevailing in our industry breaks you. Kudos to the women who have stood their ground and emerged victorious. The #HemaCommittee was much needed to break the abuse. But will it?

Abuse, asking for sexual favors, and expecting women to compromise to…

— KhushbuSundar (@khushsundar) August 28, 2024

Ms Sundar, who has been a member of the National Commission for Women (NCW), said last year that she was sexually abused by her father at the age of 8.

When she was 15 years old, she started revolting against her father who then left the family in the lurch, the actor-politician said at a town hall last year.

Khushbu Sundar’s Warning To A Producer

Khushbu Sundar also spoke to NDTV on Wednesday and said women have to stand up, come out and speak up. Asked whether she faced any such instances, she said that there was a very stray incident when she had just entered South Indian cinema. 

“There was a producer who approached me because I was here (the industry) alone and I didn’t have a Godfather. So probably this producer must have thought that I would succumb to the pressure,” she said.

“He gave me kind of a hint when he walked into my makeup room when I was shooting for a Telugu film. I removed my slippers and told him I wear 41 (the size). Do you want to take a whack right here or do you want me to hit you in front of the unit? And that put him in place,” she told NDTV, adding that women have to stand up for themselves at the “very moment”.

She also said that not only women, but men should also come out and support them.

“Because we women work in an atmosphere thinking probably men around us would be there to support us and protect us. Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen at times,” she said.

Thiruvananthapuram:

The fallout from the Justice K Hema Committee report on harassment and abuse in the Malayalam film industry intensified on Monday as a case was charged against well-known filmmaker Ranjith, and several female actors stepped forward with disturbing accounts of the mistreatment they faced at the hands of their various male counterparts.

The case was charged against Ranjith after a Bengali actress filed a complaint on Monday with the Kochi City Police Commissioner.

The complaint, sent via email, alleged that Ranjith had touched her inappropriately with sexual intent after inviting her to act in the movie Paleri Manikyam in 2009.

Kochi Police Commissioner S Syamsundar said a case under IPC Section 354 (assault or criminal force on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty) has been registered against Ranjith.

Another actress, Minu Muneer, who has appeared in a few movies, levelled sexual abuse allegations against prominent actors M Mukesh, who is also an MLA, Jayasurya and Maniyanpilla Raju, as well as small-time actor Idavela Babu who has a prominent role in the actors’ association.

A more well-known actress from the 1990s also came forward on Monday with allegations of misconduct from years ago against a noted filmmaker. She has expressed willingness to provide a statement to the police.

The filmmaker has denied the charges.

In a Facebook post, Minu Muneer said, “I am writing to report a series of incidents of physical and verbal abuse I suffered at the hands of 1 Mukesh 2 Maniyan Pilla Raju, 3 Idavela Babu, 4 Jayasoorya (Jayasurya), 5 adv Chandrasekaran, 6 production controller Noble and Vichu, in the Malayalam film industry.” “In 2013, I was subjected to physical and verbal abuse by these individuals while working on a project. I tried to cooperate and continue working, but the abuse became unbearable,” the actress, who signed as Minu Kurian in her Facebook post, alleged.

With the exception of Maniyanpilla Raju, none of the actors have reacted.

On the same day, a junior artist accused actor Baburaj, known for villain roles, of sexual assault.

Rejecting the allegations, Baburaj, an office bearer in the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (A.M.M.A), claimed it was an attempt by vested interests in the film industry to prevent him from becoming A.M.M.A general secretary, replacing Siddique, who resigned on Sunday amid similar charges.

Meanwhile, the serious and elaborate revelations of sexual harassment charges against two-time CPI(M) legislator M Mukesh brought embarrassment to the state government.

Though the opposition parties have accused the Left government of protecting the predators, its leaders put up a defence, saying a special investigation team has been formed to probe the allegations.

Yet, the continuing charges against Mukesh, who represents Kollam constituency in the assembly, have put the CPI (M)-led government under pressure.

A harassment allegation levelled by a woman against Mukesh years ago also resurfaced on Sunday.

Hours after Minu Muneer’s allegations against Mukesh on Monday, workers from Yuva Morcha and Mahila Congress organised separate marches towards his residence in Kollam, demanding that a case be registered against him and that he resign as a legislator.

Opposition leader V D Satheesan said he expects that, like Ranjith and Siddique, Mukesh will also step down.

Reacting to the revelations against Mukesh, Higher Education Minister R Bindhu said any accusation against any person should be examined on factual grounds. “The wrongdoers should be punished. Innocent people should not be penalised,” she told the media here.

Eminent writer Sara Joseph and Kerala Chalachitra Academy Vice-Chairman Premkumar raised objections against the reported inclusion of Mukesh in the film policy committee of the upcoming cinema conclave of the state government.

“The inclusion of Mukesh on the panel is ridiculous. He should resign as MLA if he has any self-pride,” Joseph said.

Mukesh has claimed he is being deliberately targeted by vested interests as he is a CPI(M) MLA.

The female actor who accused him has also levelled sexual abuse allegations against three other prominent Malayalam actors.

Actor Maniyanpilla Raju has called for an overall investigation. “Some people will try to capitalise on the situation,” he opined. “Among those accused, there will be both innocent and guilty parties. Therefore, a comprehensive investigation is necessary.” Meanwhile, leading actor Prithviraj has called for corrective actions from A.M.M.A and a comprehensive investigation into the various allegations.

It came a day after director Ranjith and actor Siddique stepped down from their leadership roles in the Kerala Chalachitra Academy and A.M.M.A respectively, following sexual abuse allegations against them.

Amid mounting pressure on the government, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday announced the establishment of a seven-member special investigation team for the probe into the allegations made in the wake of the Hema Committee report being published.

There is however no move to conduct investigations on revelations made by women victims in the Hema Committee report.

The report by the Justice Hema Committee, constituted by the Kerala government after the 2017 actress assault case has revealed instances of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry, prompting calls for action against the guilty.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)