5 times actor Bhavana took unwavering stands and made statements that rippled through Malayalam film industry

However, it was not the horrific assault she endured that shattered her, but rather the responses of her peers, which clearly showcased their self-interest or biased sympathies towards the accused. Despite being deeply affected, Bhavana did not succumb. Instead, she fought back fiercely, showcasing remarkable strength. Therefore, the name Bhavana now not only signifies a tremendously gifted actor but also embodies the courage to persist in the pursuit of justice.

As the actor turns 37 on Tuesday (June 6), indianexpress.com takes a look at the five times Bhavana fearlessly swam against the prevailing tides of the mainstream Malayalam film industry, taking unwavering stands and making statements that rippled through the field, leaving an indelible mark:

* The first time Bhavana opened up

Right from the beginning, Bhavana made it a point to be unapologetic about everything. Even when there was a prevalent culture of victim-blaming, she never uttered anything that suggested she was to blame, though the actor later revealed that a blame game went on within her for a very long time. She, however, fully embraced her identity as a survivor in public and never allowed herself to be labelled as a victim by anyone. About a month after the abduction and assault, Bhavana gave an extensive interview to Malayalam magazine Vanitha. During the chat, she strongly spoke out against the injustice she had experienced, showcasing her unwavering determination to fight for justice.

“I am engaged in a battle, and I will persist until I achieve victory. This battle is not only mine, but it represents all girls in Kerala. I have only one thing to tell our girls: if you ever find yourself in a similar situation, do not let it drain your spirit. And even in those circumstances, do not panic and be extra vigilant,” she stated.

She further proceeded to recount the entire incident that took place on that fateful day, acknowledging, “I have enemies within the film industry.” “It was an experience that exceeded my wildest nightmares,” she disclosed.

This is a battle. I will fight until I see victory. This battle is for all girls in Kerala. I have only one thing to tell our girls. If you ever fall into such trouble, do not let it wear you out. Even then do not panic and be more alert.

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“There are so many people who supported me when this unfortunate incident happened in my life. They prayed for me and openly told me to bring out the truth behind this incident,” she added.

* Breaking the silence and penning a strong social media post

Following the incident in 2017, the actor chose to remain silent for an extended period. During this time, significant developments took place in the case, including the arrest of actor Dileep, who was suspected to be the mastermind behind the crime. Bhavana also refrained from addressing the issue publicly, respecting the sub-judice nature of the case. Additionally, others conscientiously adhered to legal guidelines and refrained from mentioning her name in reports.

However, five years later, the actor finally decided to break her silence and expressed her gratitude to everyone through a heartfelt message on social media. She thanked all those who supported her in her quest for justice, acknowledging their unwavering presence during her difficult journey.

 

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A post shared by Bhavana🧚🏻‍♀️Mrs.June6 (@bhavzmenon)

“This has not been an easy journey. The journey from being a victim to becoming a survivor. For 5 years now, my name and my identity have been suppressed under the weight of the assault inflicted on me. Though I am not the one who has committed the crime, there have been many attempts to humiliate, silence and isolate me. But at such times I have had some who stepped forward to keep my voice alive. Now when I hear so many voices speak up for me I know that I am not alone in this fight for justice,” she stated in a note shared on social media on January 10, 2022.

To see justice prevail, to get wrongdoers punished and to ensure no one else goes through such an ordeal again, I shall continue this journey. For all those who are standing with me – a heartfelt thank you for your love.

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* Appearance at 26th IFFK’s inaugural ceremony amid enthusiastic cheers and a standing ovation

The International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) has always held a special place in the hearts of movie enthusiasts, but the 26th edition of the event became a momentous occasion due to the profound socio-political statement made by the government by inviting Bhavana for the inaugural ceremony. On March 18, 2022, the 26th IFFK commenced with the graceful presence of Bhavana, adding a touch of elegance and significance to the proceedings.

As Bhavana entered the Nishagandhi Auditorium in Thiruvananthapuram, she was greeted by a crowd of passionate spectators who had gathered there, erupting into enthusiastic cheers and honouring her with a standing ovation. The inaugural ceremony was also graced by the presence of Kurdish woman filmmaker Lisa Calan who survived an ISIS bomb attack.

Expressing gratitude to the organisers for extending the invitation to her, Bhavana delivered a brief yet impactful speech:

I extend my warm greetings to all those who create good films, enjoy watching good films and also to all women like Lisa who are continuing their fights defying all odds.

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* The remarkable interview with Barkha Dutt

In one of the most remarkable and influential interviews of recent times, Bhavana engaged in an open conversation with renowned journalist Barkha Dutt on the latter’s digital platform Mojo Story during the ‘We the Women’ programme. She openly discussed her experiences, addressing topics that are often overlooked.

When Barkha asked her about the source of her courage, Bhavana expressed, “It makes me very angry and very sad (that perpetrators of sexual assault get rehabilitated)… It’s not every day that I feel empowered and ready to fight. So many days, I have wanted to give up…” She further said:

We must normalise the idea of the person who has gone through a trauma coming out in public and voicing it out. We must normalise that as a society, normalise that courage.

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Though Bhavana had, in the beginning, stated that the conversation won’t be a ‘tell-all’ as the trial was underway, she fearlessly tore into those who were constantly involved in victim-blaming and stated that some even said that she should not have travelled that late in the night. “There was also propaganda that I staged it, and that the case is fake… I was devastated… While I was trying to pick up the pieces, trying to stand up and face life again, these kinds of things were pulling me down… It was hurting and painful,’’ she said.

Pointing out that it was really overwhelming to see the kind of support and love she received from her family, friends and audience, Bhavana said, “I had to go to the court for 15 days, sitting in the court from morning to evening. … I was trying to prove that I didn’t do anything wrong and that I am innocent.”

She ended the conversation with yet another powerful statement:

I would rather give a strong fight without worrying about the outcome.

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* The decision to speak up and file a police complaint

Among all the stands Bhavana took and the impactful statements she made, one, in particular, stands out because it probably caught the accused off guard. They likely didn’t anticipate her speaking up, filing a police complaint, and continuing to fight the legal battle even after six years had passed.

Despite being fully aware of the potential consequences and the likelihood of facing victim-blaming, Bhavana fearlessly chose to pursue the legal battle by filing a police complaint on the very day the heinous crime occurred, which was February 17, 2017.

While three of the seven accused individuals were apprehended within two days, the main accused, Sunil Kumar, also known as Pulsar Suni, was arrested on February 23. Three months later, a letter supposedly written by Pulsar Suni to actor Dileep surfaced. This prompted Dileep to claim that he had received a phone call from someone alleging to be Suni’s prison mate, demanding a sum of 1.5 crore rupees to keep Dileep’s name out of the case. Dileep went further and made disparaging remarks against Bhavana, accusing her of having been friends with her primary assailant.

After months of remaining silent, Bhavana responded to these victim-blaming allegations by announcing her intention to sue Dileep for making baseless claims. The survivor continued to vigorously pursue the case, leading to the eventual arrest of Dileep, who was identified by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) as the mastermind behind the crime.