Shalu Menon, Malayalam actress, shares her prison experience and reveals lost opportunities after controversy.
Shalu Menon is a well-known name in Malayali households, being popular in Malayalam films and television. She is also a dancer and operates a dance school in Kerala.
Eleven years ago, she was arrested for a case and spent 49 days in prison, though the case was later dropped. In a recent interview, Shalu Menon opened up about that difficult period of her life.
Shalu Menon discusses her time in prison
During the interview, Shalu Menon shared that she did not receive special treatment in jail and slept on the floor like everyone else. Her mother, grandmother, students, and their parents were the only ones who supported her during that tough time. Other relatives did not offer support initially, but they reconciled after her release.
Shalu mentioned in the interview that she missed out on numerous film and TV offers due to the case and imprisonment. Producers were hesitant to cast her because of her prison record, which negatively impacted her career.
Despite the challenges she faced, Shalu emphasized that an artist’s spirit cannot be crushed by anyone. She is currently focused on running her dance school and training her students.
Why was Shalu Menon arrested?
The Solar Scam involved a company called Team Solar, which used two women to build political connections, including ties to the Chief Minister’s office in Kerala in 2013. They defrauded many influential individuals of 70 lakhs rupees by offering business partnerships or solar power installations and collecting advance payments.
Shalu Menon was implicated in the high-profile case but was later acquitted due to lack of evidence against her.
Shalu Menon on the controversial videos
In 2009, intimate videos allegedly featuring Shalu Menon were leaked online. She claims that the videos were manipulated or doctored. Initially, people did not believe this, but as awareness of deepfake technology grew, opinions shifted. Shalu Menon revealed that these videos had negative consequences on her career by causing lost opportunities.
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