Malayalam filmmaker Chidambaram S Poduval booked in sexual harassment case in Kochi

KOCHI: A case has been registered against Chidambaram S Poduval, director of the hit film Manjummel Boys, in connection with a sexual harassment complaint, police said on Monday. Ernakulam South Police registered the case on Sunday after a woman lodged a complaint alleging that an incident took place in 2022, officials said, according to news agency PTI. According to police, the complaint relates to allegations of trespassing into the woman’s apartment in Elamkulam and sexually misbehaving with her. The case has been booked under Sections 74 (assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 75 (sexual harassment) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, police said.

Officials said the complainant’s statement was recorded before the FIR was registered. A notice will be issued to the filmmaker directing him to appear for questioning, they added. Chidambaram has not yet responded to the allegations. He has directed two successful films — Jan.E.Man (2021) and Manjummel Boys (2024).