The Malayalam film industry is currently grappling with a wave of controversy as sexual harassment allegations continue to surface against several prominent figures.
In a recent development, an aspiring male actor has filed a complaint against director Ranjith, accusing him of sexual assault during an audition in 2012.
Kerala Police have confirmed receiving a complaint from the young actor, who alleges that Ranjith forced him to strip naked and sexually assaulted him at a hotel in Bangalore. The actor, who initially believed the actions were part of the audition process, reported that the incident occurred after Ranjith invited him to the hotel. The following morning, Ranjith allegedly offered him money. The actor has since escalated the complaint to the Director General of Police (DGP), and the Special Investigation Team (SIT) will review the case.
This complaint comes amid other serious allegations against Ranjith. Bengali actor Sreelekha Mitra also filed a complaint with the Kochi City Police, accusing the director of sexual misconduct. This complaint was filed a day after Ranjith resigned as chairman of the Kerala State Chalachithra Academy. In response, a case has been registered against Ranjith based on Mitra’s allegations.
IGP & Commissioner of Police S. Syamsundar confirmed the registration of the case, stating, “We have received a complaint from the victim in the abuse case regarding Director Ranjith. A crime has been registered at the North Police Station under Section 354, and the investigation will proceed according to the mandate decided by the special investigation team constituted by the government.”
These allegations are part of a broader controversy that has engulfed the Malayalam film industry, following the recent public release of a redacted version of the Justice Hema Committee report. The report, which was prepared by a three-member panel led by a former Kerala High Court judge and submitted to the government in December 2019, details shocking accounts of harassment, exploitation, and mistreatment of women in the industry. The report also highlights that the Malayalam film industry is largely controlled by 10 to 15 male producers, directors, and actors who dominate and exert significant control over its operations.
In response to these disturbing revelations, the Kerala government has announced the formation of a special investigation team to probe the sexual abuse allegations within the industry. An official release from the Chief Minister’s Office stated, “In light of recent interviews and statements from several women in the Malayalam film industry detailing the hardships they have faced, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan convened a meeting with senior police officials on Sunday.”
