'Forced To Strip Naked': Male Actor Files Sexual Assault Allegations Against Malayalam Filmmaker Ranjith

According to the actor, Ranjith sexually harassed him and forced him to strip at an audition in 2012.

Ranjith was previously accused by Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra.

Source : X/@pendown

New Delhi: The Malayalam film industry is now engulfed in a major scandal as fresh accusations of sexual harassment against well-known people emerge. Recently, a male actor has levelled fresh accusations of sexual assault against famous Malayalam director Ranjith. A resident of Kozhikode filed the complaint, stating that the event happened in 2012 when the director reportedly used the pretence of an audition to bring him to a hotel in Bengaluru.

The accuser claims that Ranjith attacked him and had him undress while offering him positions in return. Assuming it was all part of the audition process, the victim supposedly gave his consent. Ranjith allegedly made a monetary offer to him the next morning. Now that the actor has formally complained to the DGP.

According to the Director General of Kerala Police, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) would review the complaint and decide what to do next.

Previous Allegations On Ranjith

Earlier on August 24, Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra accused Ranjith of "misbehaviour" when discussing a film proposal. The actress told PTI, "He made certain advances subtly, and I felt uncomfortable while we were discussing the script." 

Despite these claims, Ranjith, who is now the head of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy, has not spoken publicly. Her public accusations prompted Ranjith to resign as chairman of the Kerala State Chalachithra Academy. As per the SIT's directive, the Kochi City Police have filed a Section 354 complaint against Ranjith, and an inquiry is now underway.

The accusations have surfaced after the publication of the Justice Hema Commission Report, which exposes the widespread sexual abuse inside the Malayalam cinema industry. 

A special investigative team has been created by the Kerala government to investigate the sexual assault accusations in the Malayalam cinema industry, in response to the increasing public uproar. Investigating these grave claims will be the Special Investigations Team (SIT), headed by a senior police officer.