Malayalam Film Industry in Turmoil: Fresh Sexual Harassment Allegations Emerge

The Malayalam film industry is under scrutiny following multiple sexual harassment allegations. Director Ranjith faces new accusations from a male actor and Bengali actor Sreelekha Mitra. The Kerala government has launched a special investigation team to probe these allegations.

The Malayalam film industry is currently embroiled in controversy after sexual harassment allegations surfaced against several prominent figures. An aspiring male actor has filed a new complaint against director Ranjith, accusing him of forcing him to strip naked and sexually assaulting him.

Kerala Police confirmed receiving the complaint, stating that the alleged incident occurred in 2012 during an audition in a Bangalore hotel. Ranjith allegedly offered the young actor money the next morning. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) will review the complaint.

In a separate case, Bengali actor Sreelekha Mitra lodged a complaint with Kochi City Police against Ranjith, following his resignation as chairman of the Kerala State Chalachithra Academy.

The Justice Hema Committee report on harassment in Malayalam cinema, recently made public, reveals alarming accounts of mistreatment toward women professionals. The state government announced the formation of a special investigation team to investigate these allegations.

(With inputs from agencies.)