ACTRESS FIGHTS FOR OVER 6 YEARS TO REMOVE LEAKED RAPE SCENE FROM PORN SITES

Sona told TNM that the scenes were recorded privately using a hand camera and the film’s director Satish Ananthapuri and producer Anto Kadavelil had promised the ex-actress that the footage would be deleted after they used the relevant bits for the film.

However, to her dismay, she found that the scenes had made their way to several porn websites. “In 2014, I had approached the Ernakulam City Police Commissioner’s officer to get the clipping removed from YouTube. The officials said that YouTube would take down the scene if they sent a request letter signed by the Commissioner. At the time, they did not lodge an FIR or take down a complaint,” Sona was quoted as saying.

“The raw footage includes behind the scenes clips including conversations I had with the director. It now looks like we were shooting for an adult film, when that was not the case at all,” she said.

“If you look at the context of the scene in the story, it was a rape. They told us that only a 30-second clipping will be used. The footage would not have leaked without their knowledge as they held the rights to it. Hence, adding them to the FIR seemed appropriate. I also requested in the complaint that the scenes be taken down from the internet. My complaint was transferred to the cyber cell and I was promised that action would be taken,” Sona added.

“I was a minor when the film was shot and when the recorded footage was leaked. This would attract relevant sections of POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act as well as the Information Technology (IT) Act section 67 B. The sections were not added and it helped the accused acquire a station bail soon after their arrest,” she said further.

Actor Parvathy wrote in solidarity, "Sona, I draw immensely from your strength. I know how it feels to feel fear in my bones and yet, constantly choose to remain brave. There is so much stacked up against us. Such a steep uphill battle. Nevertheless, when you choose to breathe through it and forge your path ahead, you are breaking generational curses. You’ve given me immense strength and calm. Thank you. It aches me to know what you’ve had to go through and I cannot imagine the pain you have had to endure. You are not alone, though. I’m right here with you! Thank you Sona. For being you and for speaking up!"