Malayalam auteur arrested for Manju Warrier's complaint

Malayalam film director Shrikumar Menon was arrested on Thursday for alleged intimidation and defaming of actress Manju Warrier on social media, police said.

Menon was later released on bail on two solvent sureties. Police had registered a case against him in October on a complaint lodged by Malayalam actress Manju Warrier for allegedly threatening and defaming her on social media.

She had on October 22 met Kerala police chief Loknath Behera and filed the complaint. The case was registered against him under various Indian Penal Code sections including 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman).

Menon, who had helmed the advertisements of several popular brands with Warrier in the lead role, said on Thursday that he would fully cooperate with police in the investigation.

"I have explained my stand to police and my statement has been recorded," he told reporters. He entered the film world last year by directing the Mohanlal-Manju Warrier starrer Odiyan, which failed to take off at the box-office. The actress has also sent a letter to the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) about her police complaint against Menon and sought its support.