#MeToo allegations: Amala Paul backs Leela Manimegalai; calls Susi Ganesan ‘a man who has a twisted set of moral values’

Actress Amala Paul has said that she backs poet Leela Manimekalai’s allegations of sexual harrassment against film director Susi Ganesan.

It may be recalled that Leela Manimegalai had levelled sexual harrassment allegations against director Susi Ganesan in the wake of the ongoing #MeToo movement. Susi Ganesan has aleady denied all allegations and has threatened to file a defamation suit against Leela Manimekalai.

Under these circumstances, actress Amala Paul has chosen to join issue by alleging that she too was subjected to ”double meaning talks, misrepresented offers and unchivalrous bodily contacts” while working on a film called Thiruttu Payale 2, directed by Susi Ganesan.

Amala Paul, who posted her statement on Twitter, claimed, “I support Leena Manimekalai’s allegations and can imagine this episode happening with her, from a man who has a twisted set of moral values and utterly low respect for women. She being an aspiring director could have made her an easy target for such an incidence to take place (sic). ”

Amala went on to say, “Me too despite being the leading actress for Thirutupayale 2 was subjected to double meaning talks, misrepresented offers and unchivalrous bodily contacts. This pretty much made my experience of shooting TP2, a mentally fatiguing one. I can totally understand what she could have been subjected through (sic).”

“I applaud her for the courage she showed by narrating her ordeal on a public platform.

“In our emerging economy and ever expanding female work force, this behaviour is rampantly occurring everywhere, in all trades and industries.

“These men treat their housewives and daughters different but when it comes to their colleagues they don’t miss a chance to show an upper hand and take advantage.

“This is one of the main reasons, we Indians are unable to unlock our true potential either in creative, service or spiritual industries.

“We have heard a lot of cases from spiritual and creative industries. But true change will come when service and unorganized sectors are also heard for their #metoo ordeals.

“It’s high time that government and judicial benches device out a system to address these issues of our society and not let the female work force of future subjected to such harrowing #metoo incidents.(sic)”