Malayalam film director Ranjith has resigned from his post as the chairman of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy amidst allegations of misconduct leveled against him by Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra. The allegations, which date back to 2009, have sparked a controversy in the Malayalam film industry.
Sreelekha Mitra, known for her work in Bengali cinema, accused Ranjith of inappropriate behavior during an incident related to his film, *Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha*. The allegations gained prominence following the release of the Hema Committee report, which focused on sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry.
Ranjith, a renowned filmmaker, has denied the allegations, maintaining his innocence and stating that he will pursue the matter legally. He has also attributed Sreelekha’s accusations to an orchestrated campaign against the Kerala government.
In response to Ranjith’s resignation, Sreelekha Mitra stated that it had no impact on her, reiterating that she had already expressed everything she needed to. She further added that she would not be making any further comments on the matter.
The controversy has also led to the resignation of Malayalam actor Siddique from his position as the General Secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA).
Sreelekha Mitra detailed the allegations of misconduct in an interview with the Indian Express. She described an incident where Ranjith, while on a phone call, took her to another room. The room was dark, with a balcony nearby. As Sreelekha spoke with the cinematographer on the phone, Ranjith stood beside her, playing with her bangles and touching her skin. She expressed feeling uncomfortable and described his actions as crossing boundaries.
While emphasizing that she was not sexually harassed or molested, Sreelekha highlighted her discomfort with Ranjith’s behavior. She stated that it felt like a test of her reaction, possibly with the intention of escalating the situation.
The controversy surrounding Ranjith’s resignation has brought to light the issue of sexual harassment within the Malayalam film industry. The Hema Committee report and the subsequent allegations have sparked discussions and calls for change within the industry.
