A day after director Mari Selvaraj and singer-rapper Arivu faced severe flak on social media for platforming and standing with fellow rapper Vedan, who is facing multiple sexual harassment allegations, Arivu has responded to the issue on his social media handles.
The rapper said he shared the photo "in a personal/artistic moment" and that he "respects women's voices". "I believe truth must come out through due process," he wrote. The Karnan director is yet to respond to the backlash. The photo came after the trio released a new track titled 'Rekka Rekka' from Mari Selvaraj's upcoming film Bison Kaalamaadan, headlined by Dhruv Vikram.
Rapper Hirandas Murali, known by his stage name Vedan, had been accused by several women of sexual assault during the #MeToo movement. He had been under the police scanner after officers from the Kochi City DANSAF squad (District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force) raided his house and seized 5 gms of ganja, leading to his arrest in April. Later, a doctor had levelled rape accusations against him, registering a complaint at the Thrikkakara police station in Kerala. She alleged that he repeatedly abused her sexually between 2021 and 2023 under the promise of marriage. Recently, he was granted anticipatory bail saying that while the charges against him were serious, his custodial interrogation was not necessary.
In August, two women, both PhD researchers, had approached Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan with complaints, alleging assaults in December 2020 and 2021.
Social media users expressed their anger and disappointment at both Arivu and Mari Selvaraj for platforming a sexual abuser, highlighting the accusations by multiple women. They also called out Pa Ranjith for continuing to work with John Vijay who was also accused of sexual assault during the #MeToo movement.
Mari Selvaraj, who last made Vaazhai, has Bison Kaalamaadan up for release on October 17. Anupama Parameshwaran, Pasupathy, Ameer, Lal, Rajisha Vijayan, Azhagam Perumal, Aruvi Madhan, and Anurag Arora star in prominent roles in Bison which is expected to be a sports drama based on kabaddi.
The crew of the film includes Ezhil Arasu K as the cinematographer, Sakthi Thiru as the editor, Kumar Gangappan as the art director, and Dhilip Subbarayan as the action choreographer. Pa Ranjith is producing the film along with Sameer Nair, Aditi Anand, and Deepak Segal. Sunil Chainani, Pramod Cheruvalath, and Prasoon Garg serve as co-producers on the film. Applause Entertainment and Neelam Studios are the banners backing the film.