In Thiruvananthapuram on December 8, authorities announced that former BJP‑at‑the‑time independent MLA and award‑winning filmmaker P.T. Kunju Muhammed has been charged in a complaint alleging misconduct with a female jury member during the International Film Festival of Kerala‑2025. The charge sheet, filed on Monday, claims that the 77‑year‑old former legislator, who was chairing the judging panel, assaulted the woman inside a hotel room last month.
Muhammed has denied any impropriety, suggesting the allegations may be mistaken. In a statement, he said: “I am a person with multiple health issues. I am prepared to apologise,” stressing that he denies wrongdoing.
The alleged victim was part of the jury responsible for selecting films for the festival, which is set to open later this week. The complaint was initially forwarded by the victim to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, later handed to the local police station that recorded the victim’s statement. Police investigators then went to the hotel where the incident supposedly occurred and reviewed CCTV footage as part of the inquiry.
He first entered the assembly following a 1994 by‑election from Guruvayur and retained his seat in 1996. Widely seen as a close ally of the CPI(M), he also co‑founded the party‑backed Kairali TV channel. After completing his studies, he spent a decade abroad as a senior executive with an international French firm. His entry into cinema began as a producer with the 1978 film Aswathama, moving on to act in Uppu, and later producing Purushartham and Swaroopam, both of which earned state and national awards. As a director, he earned acclaim for works such as Magrib and Garshome, which garnered multiple prestigious accolades.
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