National award-winning filmmaker Ali Akbar on Monday said that he has been a victim of child abuse at a madrasa in Kerala. His admission comes days after a Kerala-based woman journalist VP Rajeena said she had witnessed sexual exploitation of children by teachers in a madrasa during her childhood. Akbar said that he was molested by a madrasa teacher when he was eight years old. "The incident happened at a madrasa in my native place Meenangadi in Wayanad. I managed to escape from my molester after a fight," Akbar told PTI, adding that many fellow mates also went through such ordeals.

Akbar is a recipient of the Kerala government's award for debutant filmmaker, having directed over 20 Malayalam movies including hits like Junior Mandrake and Pai Brothers. He said that he decided to open up about the abuse in the wake of online attacks and threats against journalist Rajeena following her disclosure. Rajeena had gone public on Facebook last week about the happenings in madrasas, inviting public ire against the disclosures.