The Malayalam film industry is facing another controversy as an aspiring male actor has filed a sexual assault complaint against renowned director Ranjith. The actor alleges that Ranjith forced him to strip naked and sexually assaulted him during an audition in 2012.
Key Takeaways
- An aspiring male actor has accused director Ranjith of sexual assault.
- The incident allegedly took place in 2012 during an audition in Bangalore.
- Kerala Police have confirmed receiving the complaint and are investigating.
- The complaint follows recent allegations of sexual misconduct in the Malayalam film industry.
Details of the Allegation
The aspiring male actor claims that the incident occurred in 2012 when Ranjith invited him to a hotel in Bangalore for an audition. According to the complaint, the director forced the actor to strip naked and then sexually assaulted him. The actor initially believed that the actions were part of the audition process. The next morning, Ranjith allegedly offered the actor money.
Police Involvement
Kerala Police have confirmed that they have received the complaint and are investigating the matter. The actor has filed a complaint with the Director General of Police (DGP), and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) will consider it. IGP & Commissioner of Police S. Syamsundar stated that 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 SIT.
Context and Background
This complaint comes amid a series of sexual harassment allegations in the Malayalam film industry. Earlier this month, a redacted version of the Justice Hema Committee report on harassment faced by women in the industry was made public. The report contains shocking accounts of harassment, exploitation, and ill-treatment of women professionals. It notes that the industry is controlled by about 10 to 15 male producers, directors, and actors who dominate and exert control.
Government Response
In light of recent interviews and statements from several women in the Malayalam film industry detailing the hardships they have faced, the Kerala government has decided to form a special investigation team led by a senior police officer to investigate allegations of sexual abuse. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan convened a meeting with senior police officials to address the issue.
Recent Developments
Bengali actor Sreelekha Mitra also filed a complaint against Ranjith with the Kochi City Police, following allegations of sexual misconduct that she made public. This led to Ranjith resigning as the chairman of the Kerala State Chalachithra Academy. Based on Mitra’s complaint, a case has been registered against Ranjith.
The Malayalam film industry is currently under scrutiny, and the formation of the special investigation team is seen as a significant step towards addressing the issue of sexual harassment and misconduct in the industry.
