Filmmaker Aashiq Abu has lashed out at actor Dileep’s ‘fan following’ for diluting the seriousness of the case of abduction and sexual assault of a Malayalam actor, in which Dileep is an accused.
Speaking at the Sharjah Book Fair, Aashiq Abu said, “This incident is a big criminal act where there have been attempts to dilute it through the popular actor's fan following.” Though he did not name Dileep, the insinuation was clear.
Aashiq was replying to a question about the sexual assault case, as to why, when someone from their own fraternity is attacked, people in the film industry are not able firmly proclaim their support to her.
To this, he replied: "Everyone has their safe zones. A group of us are against the conventional cinema structure itself.”
“Actually, it should be seen separately without the cinema angle, it is a big criminal act against an ordinary woman. Even now attempts are being made to dilute the seriousness of the matter by even big stars. That is their stand... And it comes to light in such situations and people should be able to understand that,” he said.
“So now, there are those standing for justice and those trying to merely add confusion to the narrative," he said.
Dileep is accused of plotting the abduction and sexual assault of a Malayalam actor in February, and was recently released on bail. The actor was abducted by her former driver Pulsar Suni and some other men, while traveling by car.
Aashiq Abu was at the Sharjah Book Fair with his wife and actor Rima Kallingal, to release their book – "Athente Hridayam Ayirunnu" (That was My Heart) when he made these statements.
Known for films with strong female characters like "22 Female Kottayam" and "Rani Padmini", Aashiq also fielding questions on whether he is a feminist.
"Well, I have proclaimed that through my movies,” he said. “Many people have defined feminism in different ways, some misinterpret it also. In my films, not just me, my writers also are people who have worked closely with women, inside and outside of films. So whether it is taking the right stand at the right time, or in our behaviour, we are a group of like-minded people who work together and we like to say it through the politics of our cinema."