The Malayalam film industry is currently facing a scandal as several actresses have come forward with sexual harassment allegations against prominent industry figures. A new complaint has been filed by an aspiring male actor against director Ranjith, accusing him of forcing him to strip naked and sexually assaulting him. Kerala Police have confirmed receiving the complaint and will investigate the matter further. The alleged incident took place in 2012 during an audition at a hotel in Bangalore, where the victim initially believed it was part of the audition. Ranjith offered money to the victim the next morning, prompting the actor to file a formal complaint with the DGP.
Following Ranjith’s resignation as the chairman of the Kerala State Chalachithra Academy, Bengali actor Sreelekha Mitra filed a complaint with the Kochi City Police against him, based on recent allegations of sexual misconduct she made public. As a result of Mitra’s complaint, a case has been registered against Ranjith. The IGP & Commissioner of Police S. Syamsundar confirmed receiving the complaint and stated that it has been registered under Section 354, with a special investigation team appointed by the government to proceed with the investigation. These accusations come in the wake of the recent Justice Hema Committee report on harassment faced by women in the Malayalam cinema industry, which exposed exploitative and abusive behavior by certain male figures in the industry.
The Justice Hema Committee report, consisting of 235 pages, revealed instances of harassment, exploitation, and ill-treatment of women professionals in the Malayalam film industry. The report highlighted the control exerted by a small group of male producers, directors, and actors over the industry, leading to a culture of abuse and harassment. The report was submitted to the Kerala government in December 2019 and made public only recently. In response to the revelations, the Kerala government announced the formation of a special investigation team led by a senior police officer to look into allegations of sexual abuse in the industry. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan convened a meeting with senior police officials to address the issue, following interviews and statements from female industry professionals detailing their experiences of mistreatment and discrimination.
The recent surge of sexual harassment allegations in the Malayalam film industry has drawn public attention to the pervasive issue of exploitation and mistreatment faced by women and aspiring actors. The complaint against director Ranjith by an aspiring male actor sheds light on the prevalence of abuse and misconduct in the industry, prompting calls for accountability and reform. The formation of a special investigation team by the Kerala government signifies a commitment to addressing these systemic issues and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. The industry’s patriarchal structure, as highlighted in the Justice Hema Committee report, underscores the urgent need for necessary reforms to ensure a safe and equitable working environment for all industry professionals. It is essential to create a culture of accountability and respect within the industry to prevent instances of harassment and abuse from occurring in the future.
