Malayalam director Ranjith resigns as Kerala Chalachitra Academy chairman after harassment allegation by Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra

Malayalam director Ranjith resigns as Kerala Chalachitra Academy chairman after harassment allegation by Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra

As a fervent admirer of Malayalam cinema, I have always looked up to the industry’s stalwarts like Ranjith Balakrishnan for their exceptional storytelling and impactful films. However, recent events surrounding him have left me utterly disheartened and disappointed. The allegations leveled against him by actress Sreelekha Mitra are grave and demand immediate attention.


Notable Malayalam filmmaker Ranjith Balakrishnan stepped down from his role as Kerala Film Academy chairman following accusations of misconduct by actress Sreelekha Mitra. According to Mathrubhumi’s report, he submitted his resignation to the appropriate government authorities. Earlier, Ranjith had informed members of the Kerala Film Academy that he was contemplating resigning in light of the severe allegations leveled against him.

The report states that the Department of Culture asked Ranjith to submit his resignation. Furthermore, they’ve taken away the government license plate from his car in response to his decision.

For those unfamiliar, Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra recently made severe accusations against filmmaker Ranjith during the examination of the Hema Committee report. On August 23, she claimed that Ranjith had inappropriately behaved with her while filming Paleri Manikyam: A Tale from a Thousand Hills, which dates back to 2009-10 and stars Mammootty as the leading actor.

Sreelekha disclosed that Ranjith’s unsuitable conduct made her feel uncomfortable, and she was worried about staying at the hotel because of his behavior. The actress also expressed this concern.

“Sreelekha shared with Asianet News that the event was extremely distressing, leaving her unable to discuss it with others. Following the incident, she spent a sleepless night in her hotel room, filled with anxiety, wondering if anyone might knock on her door. She was eagerly awaiting the break of dawn.”

Additionally, the actress disclosed that she had filed a complaint against Ranjith, with the aid of documentary director Joshi, but unfortunately, no steps were taken to penalize the well-known movie maker.

Sreelekha went on to share her harrowing experience, mentioning that no tickets were given for her journey back home after the event, leaving her to travel independently. Moreover, she experienced a decline in Malayalam film projects after this incident.

Despite the accusations, Ranjith unequivocally refuted them. Speaking to local news outlets, he clarified that the actress was actually let go because she wasn’t fitting for the role in question. This decision had nothing to do with any misconduct on his part.

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2024-08-25 08:37