On Sunday, lyricist Vairamuthu released a pre-recorded video in response to several allegations of sexual misconduct being levelled at him. In it, he categorically stated that all the allegations were completely untrue.
“The allegations have been levelled with some ulterior motive. I am ready to face any legal action that they initiate,” he said.
He added that for the past week he had been in discussions with a legal team and claimed he had strong evidence ready now.
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‘Don’t judge me now’
“If you decide to file a case, I am ready to face it. I request people not to judge me now, not to decide if I’m a good person or not, and instead let the courts decide first,” he said.
As a part of the #MeToo movement online, there were anonymous allegations against Mr. Vairamuthu.
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Singer Chinmayi Sripaada had alleged through a series of tweets that she had been asked to ‘cooperate' with Mr. Vairamuthu by the organisers of an event in Switzerland. These allegations were denied by the organiser, Suresh, in a separate video response.
‘Take lie detector test’
Shortly after Mr. Vairamuthu's video response to the allegations against him came out, Ms. Chinmayi tweeted, saying, “Mr Vairamuthu should take a lie detector test. Enough said.”
Nearly a week after the #MeToo movement, actor Vishal, who is the general secretary of the South India Artists Association and president of the Tamil Film Producers Council, said that a three-member Internal Complaints Committee would be formed for all the bodies in the Tamil film industry, including the TFPC, Nadigar Sangam, Film Chamber and FEFSI.
“The three-member committee will ensure speedy redressal of complaints and will ensure safety for all women who are a part of the industry. It is a platform to make sure they are safe,” Mr. Vishal said, when asked about the #MeToo movement and the silence of the Tamil film industry bodies on the same.
Mr. Vishal was speaking at a press meet of his upcoming film on Saturday.