Man arrested after actress Amala Paul files sexual harassment complaint

The Mambalam police on Wednesday arrested a man identified as Azhagesan after actress Amala Paul lodged a complaint against him, stating that she had been subjected to sexual harassment by him.

Talking to mediapersons after lodging a complaint, Amala said that she had been attending dance rehearsals at a popular dance studio in Theyagaraya Nagar in Chennai, owned by dance master Sridhar, as part of her preparation for a performance in a show called Dazzling Tamizhachi, that is to take place on 3 February in Malaysia.

On Wednesday, the actress said that when she went to the studio for the rehearsals, the man, who pretended to be close to those at the dance school, brushed past her on the staircase.

The actress also alleged that the man, who was later identified as Azhagesan, approached her saying that he wanted to talk to her in private for a few minutes. He is believed to have spoken in an indecent fashion. "He spoke in an unpleasant manner. He was talking as if he wanted to sexually trade me. I was shocked and humiliated. That is why I have come to the police station to lodge a complaint," the actress said.

Giving out details, she said, "I am performing at an event in Malaysia on 3 February. I was practising for it when this man came and spoke to me as if he was one of the event organisers. I felt unsafe about the fact that the man knew what time I would be coming in for rehearsals. I am an independent working woman. He has a source inside and that is why he knew when I would be there. Therefore, I felt unsafe and have lodged a complaint. Although the incident took place at Sridhar Master's dance studio, he did not know about this. Someone associated with the event has done this."

Stating that the police was taking a deep interest in this case, the actress said that she was confident that the police would crack the case and that she would get justice.