Kerala man accuses Malayalam filmmaker Ranjith of sexually harassing him

Archive photo of filmmaker Ranjith delivering his speech at the IFFK farewell ceremony. (KB Jayachandran)

The complainant further said that he met the manager at a five-star hotel in Bengaluru, where Ranjith asked him to undress.

“He said my eyes were beautiful and asked me to do my eyebrows. What he did to me, I can't say now. I will tell the police,” the plaintiff added.

The plaintiff also said that the director had sent his nude photos to an actress who allegedly liked his photos. The man claimed that Ranjith, however, did not give him a film role. “He just gave me some money, the whole ordeal has left me mentally traumatized.”

Also read: Sreelekha Mitra sticks to allegations against Ranjith

Previous allegations and cases

Following allegations of sexual harassment against a West Bengal actor, an FIR has been filed against him under Section 354 of the IPC (assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty).

Ranjith had also resigned from his post as chairman of the state-run Kerala Chalachitra Academy.

The Bengali-based actor claimed that after inviting her to audition for a role in the Malayalam film Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha (2009), the director touched her arm in a way that seemed inappropriate.

The actress said he played with her bangles and stroked her hair. When he tried to touch her neck, she left the room. The next day, the actress was informed that she would not be part of the film.

However, she clarified that it was not a sexual assault, but Ranjith's behavior gave the impression that such an intention might have been present.

However, this is the first time that a man has filed a complaint of sexual assault following the Hema Commission report.

Also read: Filmmaker Ranjith resigns as Kerala Chalachitra Academy chairman over sexual assault allegations

(Edited by Sumavarsha Kandula, with contributions by Arjun Ramachandran)