The Malayalam film industry is once again in the spotlight, but this time for a deeply troubling reason. A young actor has accused renowned filmmaker Ranjit of sexual harassment, adding to the growing list of allegations that have recently surfaced in Mollywood. The complaint, which has been filed with the Kerala Police, alleges that the incident took place during what the actor believed to be an audition.
Incident Details
According to the victim’s statement, Ranjit called him to a hotel in Bengaluru under the pretense of an audition. However, once there, the situation took a disturbing turn. The actor alleges that Ranjit forced him to remove all his clothes and later physically assaulted him. The victim, who initially thought he was being called for a professional opportunity, was left traumatized by the experience.
The next day, Ranjit allegedly offered the actor money, which the victim refused. Following this, the actor decided to file a formal complaint with the Director General of Police (DGP) in Kerala. The case is now being investigated by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the Kerala government.
Repeat Offender?
This is not the first time Ranjit has faced such accusations. Earlier, a Bengali actress accused him of similar misconduct during an audition in 2009. Following these allegations, Ranjit resigned from the Kerala Film Academy, but the recent complaint has once again brought his actions into question.
The accusations against Ranjit come in the wake of the Justice Hema Committee report, which has already stirred the Malayalam film industry, leading to the formation of a special task force by the Kerala government to investigate cases of sexual harassment. This latest development highlights the ongoing issue of abuse in the industry, affecting not just women but men as well.
