Actor Athithi from Kerala recently attempted suicide, alleging that the director of her Kollywood debut film, Selva Kannan, was sexually harassing her. Now, a key member of Tamil film industry’s Nadigar Sangam, which represents the woes of actors, has spoken out on the issue. 

Athithi has registered a complaint with the police and the Chief Minister's Cell. Speaking to The News Minute, actor Vishal, who is the Secretary General of the Nadigar Sangam said, "Athithi has told me earlier too that she was being harassed by the director. But since she's not a member of the Sangam, I was unable to help her through the organization."

After the suicide attempt, Vishal says that Athithi came over to the Sangam office with her brother and explained the sustained "torture" that she has suffered in the hands of Selva Kannan. "She is staying in a paying guest accommodation and usually has someone around her but she was alone that night and decide to take this drastic step," Vishal says. 

Stating that he plans to meet director Selva Kannan in the next couple of days to hear his side of the story, Vishal says, "She has really gone through hell. I have to see what can be done outside of the Nadigar Sangam to help her. She is in no position to complete the film. For now, I have advised her to go back to her hometown."