Malayalam film actor Manju Warrier has filed a complaint with Kerala DGP Loknath Behera against filmmaker VA Shrikumar Menon, who directed the movie Odiyan.
In her complaint, Manju alleged that Shrikumar Menon attempted to defame her through organised social media defamation campaigns and by threatening her friends. She has also alleged that she fears that Shrikumar Menon might endanger her life.
According to reports, Manju had visited the DGP’s office in Thiruvananthapuram directly and handed over her handwritten complaint. In her complaint, Manju also stated that letter pads in the name of ‘Manju Warrier Foundation’ and blank cheques she had signed were being misused by Shrikumar Menon, allegedly to siphon off from her savings. The actor also reportedly submitted digital evidence to support her complaint.
Manju has worked extensively with Shrikumar Menon and his advertising agency Push Integrated Communications. He had directed her in several advertising campaigns for Kalyan Jewellers, and they had worked together in the movie Odiyan too. According to the complaint, Push Integrated Communications was also overseeing the activities of her foundation.
In her complaint, Manju has also mentioned the name of journalist Mathew Samuel. Mathew Samuel, a former Managing Editor of Tehelka magazine was later the editor of the digital portal Naradanews. Manju has alleged that Shrikumar Menon planted stories against her using the journalist.
“I was subjected to a social media cyber attack after the release of Odiyan. Although I have overcome this, Menon is again creating trouble for me. I am afraid that he might harm me,” Manju’s complaint was quoted in reports.
Manju was the victim of an organised social media troll campaign after Shrikumar Menon’s film, Odiyan, released in December 2018.
Odiyan opened to a worldwide release on December 14, 2018. It was Shrikumar Menon’s feature film debut and had enjoyed massive promotions ahead of its release. However, when the movie did not recieve raving reviews, Shrikumar had squarely placed the blame on Manju for the film failing at the box office. He had said that she did not have a market and she had landed the role due to 'her luck from a previous life'.
Shrikumar alleged that it was Manju’s former husband Dileep, an accused in the 2017 actor assault case, who was sabotaging the film. The director claimed that Dileep had conspired to tank Odiyan at the box office and stated this in several interviews.
Meanwhile, he also took to Facebook to berate the actor and alleged that she had thrown him under the bus after using his help.
“You have defeated me, who has stood by you facing all kinds of threats - both polite and grave,” he said.
In his post, he also claimed to have saved Manju’s career and future by helping her out financially by offering the actor ad films and bringing her back to the industry.
“When you left from your house, you were worried that you just had Rs 1500 in your bank account. When I handed over a cheque in Coimbatore for RS 25 lakh as as advance for your first ad film with me, I remember you saying that god had sent an angel in the form of Shrikumar Menon to help me. You have forgotten that,” he added in his post.
He also asked the actor why the actor was uncomfortable with his friendship with Mathew Samuel, who Manju has also mentioned in her complaint. It is to be noted that Shrikumar had made similar claims about reviving Manju's career after Odiyan failed to impress.