Malayalam superstar Nivin Pauly, one of the most bankable names in the Malayalam film industry, has found himself embroiled in serious allegations of sexual abuse. A young woman has lodged a complaint with the Ernakulam Rural District Police, accusing Pauly and five others of sexually assaulting her in Dubai in November 2023. The case, which includes non-bailable offences, has shocked fans and industry insiders alike.
According to the complaint, the woman alleges that she was lured to Dubai with the promise of a role in a film produced by A.K. Sunil, who is the second accused in the case. Once in Dubai, she claims that she was drugged and sexually assaulted in a hotel by the accused, including Nivin Pauly. The woman has accused the group of gang rape and stated that despite initially reporting the incident to the local police, no action was taken at the time.
Nivin Pauly, who has been a favorite among film producers and audiences since his debut over a decade ago, addressed the media on the night of September 4 to deny the allegations. In the press conference, Pauly categorically stated that the accusations are false and that he has never met the woman in question. He suggested that the allegations are part of a conspiracy against him and vowed to cooperate fully with the police investigation.
“I have never seen this woman in my life. I see a conspiracy behind these accusations, and I will go to any extent to prove my innocence,” Pauly asserted. “I have been informed about this case by the police about one and a half months ago, and they suggested it could be a false allegation driven by a desire for fame. I will not run away from this; I will take legal action to ensure that the truth comes out.”
Pauly also mentioned that he knows one of the co-accused, film producer A.K. Sunil, who has previously funded several Malayalam movies. Pauly admitted to borrowing funds from Sunil for film-making and confirmed that they had met in a mall in Dubai. However, he insisted that the claims of sexual abuse are entirely fabricated. He noted that the allegations had initially started as an assault accusation, then escalated to threats, and finally evolved into charges of sexual abuse.
The controversy took a new turn when the woman reportedly refuted Pauly’s claims that he does not know her. She insists that she was introduced to him by AK Sunil, and that Shreya, a native of Kottayam who had earlier taken money from her with the promise of securing a job abroad, facilitated the introduction. The woman alleges that she was drugged and sexually abused for several days in Dubai, and despite her earlier complaints to local authorities, no action was taken.
The allegations have left fans of Malayalam cinema disheartened, as they grapple with the growing number of accusations against their beloved stars. The film industry, already under scrutiny for previous scandals, now faces another challenging episode that has shaken the confidence of audiences and industry stakeholders alike.
