BENGALURU: Amid the raging #MeToo movement across the country, an aspiring filmmaker has taken to Facebook to narrate a horrific incident of sexual assault by Ere Gowda, screenwriter of the critically acclaimed film Thithi.
However, she chose to post it anonymously. Following the allegations against Gowda, his film Balekempa has been dropped from Dharmashala International Film Festival.
The anonymous woman wanted to learn screenwriting, and got in touch with Gowda for mentoring. She chose Bengaluru over Mumbai after contacting him.In her post, she alleges that she was sexually assaulted by the screenwriter at one of his friend’s place in Byadarahalli when the two had visited to work on the sound recording of the film Balekempa. He started off by trying to forcibly kiss her and then put his hand on her chest, the post reads. According to the woman’s post, the complainant did not want to let go of her dream and so she started looking for other work options in the city.
In spite of repeated calls and message to Gowda, The New Indian Express failed to get a response. Gowda had written the screenplay for the critically acclaimed film Thithi, which was directed by Raam Reddy.
Balekempa (The Bangle Seller) is a 2018 Kannada drama film written and directed by Ere Gowda. Produced by Zoo Entertainment Pvt Ltd, the film is about the relationship between a travelling bangle seller and his wife.
Balekempa has been receiving good reviews from critics and has won several awards across the globe.
The movie was also nominated at the New York Indian Film Festival 2018 under the Best Film and Best Director categories.