Malayalam film director Ranjith is facing fresh allegations of sexual assault, with a complaint recently filed by a Kozhikode resident. The complaint accuses Ranjith of assaulting a young actor in 2012 after luring him to a Bengaluru hotel under the pretext of an audition.
The complainant claims that Ranjith coerced him into stripping and assaulted him, promising roles in exchange. According to the victim, he initially believed the actions were part of the audition process. The following morning, Ranjith allegedly offered him money, news agency ANI reported.
The complaint was submitted to the Director General of Kerala Police. In response, authorities announced that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) would evaluate the complaint and take appropriate action.
Ranjith, a prominent figure in the southern film industry and the current chairman of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy, is not new to such allegations. Just days earlier, on August 24, Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra accused the director of ‘misbehaviour’ during a script discussion for a film project.
“He made certain advances subtly, and I felt uncomfortable while we were discussing the script,” Mitra revealed to PTI in Kolkata.
These allegations come in the wake of the Justice Hema Commission Report, which has shed light on the pervasive issue of sexual abuse within the Malayalam film industry. The report has triggered a wave of revelations and accusations, bringing to the forefront the experiences of many who have faced exploitation in the industry.
As the SIT begins its inquiry into the latest complaint, the spotlight remains on Ranjith, whose reputation as a respected filmmaker is now under intense scrutiny. The developments in this case are likely to fuel ongoing debates about the safety and ethics within the entertainment industry, particularly in Kerala.