'Anarkali cried while describing the incident, I also had a bad experience', says Lali

Actress Lali PM, who has long expressed her deep love for Malayalam cinema, recently shared her experiences in an interview with a media outlet. Known for working with many new-generation actors, Lali praised the younger generation for their politeness and respect towards others. However, she also revealed a troubling side of her experience in the industry.

Lali disclosed that she had faced instances of inappropriate behaviour, including receiving unsolicited messages. "There were incidents of misbehavior and inappropriate texting directed at me," she said. "I firmly responded that it would not happen again. After making that clear decision, no further messages were sent."

However, Lali noted that sexual jokes were often made openly in front of everyone. She mentioned that the person who had misbehaved with her had even blamed members of the WCC. "Even when we’ve had such experiences, if we reveal who we are, maybe we can keep this at bay. Those who are as brave as me can do it. But I’m not sure how the younger actors are handling this."

Addressing why she didn’t file a formal complaint, Lali explained, "Cinema is a collective art. I didn't want to disrupt the film by raising an issue, thinking it might negatively impact the project. But I made sure to address the problem exactly where it needed to be addressed."

Lali also recounted a disturbing incident involving fellow actress Anarkali. "Anarkali shared something that happened on set. A male actor was telling a story about a singer who attended a festival in Kannur and encountered a problem with the organizers. When everyone around her fled, the people with her told the singer, 'Come here, come here,' and she thought they were helping her. Instead, the actor joked that they took advantage of her. Anarkali was in tears, asking if the actor’s daughter had been the singer, would he have told this story? Talking about someone else's private parts in front of young women, with everyone laughing along, is a real problem," Lali clarified.