Ranjith is also facing allegations of sexual misconduct/harassment by an actress.
Cochin: A second complaint has been filed against Malaysian film director Ranjith Balakrishnan, who recently resigned as chairman of Kerala Chalachitra Academy regarding a complaint of misconduct filed by an actress. The new complaint was filed by a resident of Kozhikode.
In his complaint to the state police chief, the man alleged that director Ranjith sexually harassed him on the pretext of offering him roles in films. The incident, according to the complainant, took place at a five-star hotel in 2012.
“A young actor has lodged a complaint against Kerala filmmaker Ranjith, alleging that the director forced him to strip and also sexually assaulted him in 2012. Ranjith invited the victim to a hotel in Bangalore for an audition and allegedly sexually assaulted her… The complainant said she thought it was part of the audition. Ranjith sexually assaulted her and the next day morning offered money to the victim. The actor has lodged a complaint with the DGP and the SIT will look into it,” the Kerala Police said in a statement.
This is the first time a man has come forward with a sexual abuse allegation amid a wave of Me Too accusations that have rocked the Malayalam film industry after the Hema Commission report came out.
Ranjith, one of the many prominent figures in the Malayalam film industry, is facing allegations of misconduct and sexual harassment by an actress. The case was filed after Hema Justice Committee Report It was made public earlier this month.
Last week, the filmmaker resigned from his post as president of the Chalachitra Academy in Kerala following… sexual assault allegations against him.
Kerala Youth and Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cherian took to social media on Saturday and wrote a post mentioning that action would be “assured” if the allegations of inappropriate behaviour are proven.
Minister: Action will be taken against Director Ranjith if allegations are proven
“The government will not protect anyone who makes the mistake. Action will be taken if the allegations against the Academy President Ranjith are proven,” he wrote on Facebook.
The Justice Hema Committee, constituted by the Kerala government after the 2017 assault case on the actress, has revealed instances of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam film industry.
Amid allegations of sexual harassment and exploitation against several actors and directors, the state government announced on August 25 the establishment of a seven-member special investigation team to probe them.
Many complaints subsequently arose which created a stir in the Malayalam film industry.
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