‘Avalkoppam’ solidarity protest at IFFK calls for systemic change in women’s safety as survivor breaks silence

The day the survivor of the 2017 actress assault case broke her silence after the verdict, the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) in Thiruvananthapuram became the stage for a powerful political and cultural statement. A packed Tagore Theatre premises on Sunday evening hosted Avalkoppam, a solidarity protest held on the sidelines of the ongoing 30th edition of IFFK, reaffirming the festival’s long-standing tradition of engaging with social and political concerns.

The gathering drew wide participation from festival delegates, film personalities, activists and political leaders, reflecting strong solidarity with the survivor. 

Addressing the crowd, CPM state secretary M V Govindan said Avalkoppam represented a collective vision that extended beyond a single case. Emphasising that women’s safety is a societal responsibility and not a women-only issue, he said it was alarming that those behind the conspiracy were yet to be identified or held accountable. Calling this a limitation of the justice system, Govindan urged society to acknowledge the reality and work collectively to ensure accountability. The state government has extended its support to the survivor and has already announced its decision to appeal the recent Ernakulam sessions court verdict.

The protest assumed added significance as it came a day after Kerala State Chalachitra Academy vice-chairperson Cuckoo Parameswaran remarked that the actress assault case and its verdict had no bearing on the festival.

With placards, slogans and a large turnout at one of IFFK’s key venues, Sunday’s demonstration stood in sharp contrast to those comments. Parameswaran’s remarks—including her analogy questioning whether institutions shut down over crimes committed by individuals in other professions—had drawn criticism and raised concerns about the festival leadership’s sensitivity at a crucial moment. “If it happens between two doctors, do hospitals shut down?” she asked then.

One of the most emotionally charged moments of the evening was the presence of Sheeba, wife of late filmmaker Balachandrakumar, who attended the protest with actor, activist and dubbing artist Bhagyalakshmi. Balachandrakumar had played a pivotal role in the case, with his disclosures leading the court to permit further investigation in 2021. A former close associate of actor Dileep—later acquitted in the case—Kumar had alleged that Dileep possessed visuals of the assault and had also spoken about threats to investigating officers, resulting in a separate Crime Branch case in 2022.

Recalling his contribution, Bhagyalakshmi said Balachandrakumar testified persistently despite serious health issues, including undergoing dialysis. “For 41 days, he appeared before the court and the investigation team while on dialysis. He told me he would not leave this world until this fight was completed,” she said, describing his loss as immeasurable.

Speaking a day after the first anniversary of her husband’s death, Sheeba said he had anticipated the outcome of the case. “After the third trial, he told me the survivor would not get justice from this court. That is exactly what has happened,” she said. She grew emotional while recalling how he pursued the case despite knowing the risks to his life and expressed regret over having once asked him to step back, which delayed his involvement. Balachandrakumar died on December 13, 2024, due to kidney and heart-related ailments.

Actor Rima Kallingal also made a surprise appearance at the gathering, drawing loud cheers. She said it was “unbelievable and shocking” that safety needed to be debated even within a cultural space like IFFK. “Saying Avalkoppam is not enough. The support must be continuous,” she said, asserting that there would be “not a single step backwards” in the fight.

The protest also featured performances by singer Pushpavathy Poypadathu, who set the tone with resistance songs including Azadi and Enninnale Choppanam Kandappol, earning enthusiastic applause.