#Metoo: Woman artiste accuses '2.0' actress of sexual harassment

Chennai: As the #Metoo movement gathers pace, a Chennai-based woman artiste has accused actress Maya S Krishnan, who is part of top actor Rajinikanth's upcoming movie '2.0' that stars also Akshay Kumar as the lead villain, of sexually harassing her. Krishnan has refuted the allegations. This is the second such instance in which a woman has been named, and first from Tamil Nadu with the campaign surging ahead. Chennai-based theatre artiste Ananya Ramaprasad in a Facebook post said, "I am a victim of sexual, mental and emotional manipulation, abuse, and most horrifically, gaslighting, all at the hands of my abuser, Maya S Krishnan." On her Facebook page, Krishnan, however, refuted the allegations and said she was trying to help and ready to face legal proceedings. "I deny all the allegations mentioned in the post.... Considering her to be a child was a mistake, I will not repeat that anymore," said Krishnan, who is part of actor Vikram's upcoming film 'Dhruva Natchathiram.' Check out Ananya Ramaprasad's long Facebook post below:  Akshay Kumar looks ruthless in new 2.0 poster While narrating her long story, Ananya describes in her note: "She lived alone, and we used to sleep on the same bed, completely platonically. At least at first. She then began to cuddle with me, kiss my forehead. then escalated things slowly, kissing my neck, cheeks, and eventually, me. I felt scared and trapped. I started having anxiety attacks and emotional breakdowns nearly every day. She convinced me that I was being silly for reacting to it this way, and that everything we were doing was absolutely normal for friends. Despite my anxiety, breakdowns, and inner screaming, I was made to accept that this was normal." Last month, popular comedienne Kaneez Surka accused fellow comic Aditi Mittal of "forcibly kissing" her on the mouth two years ago at a comedy show. Mittal has issued an unconditional apology. Popular singer Chinmayi Sripaada recently levelled allegations of sexual harassment against lyricist Vairamuthu, who has refuted it. The Indian version of the movement in entertainment, media and film industry started after actress Tanushree Dutta levelled sexual harassment charges against veteran actor Nana Patekar. (With inputs added in PTI copy)