Malayalam director Ranjith has stepped down as the chairman of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy, following serious allegations by Bengali actor Sreelekha Mitra. She accused the filmmaker of making inappropriate advances towards her during the pre-production phase of a 2009 movie.
The Communist Party of India (CPI), a major ally of the Left Democratic Front (LDF), has called for an investigation into Mitra’s claims, which resurfaced in light of the Justice Hema Committee’s findings.
In an interview with PTI, Mitra detailed the incident with Ranjith, noting that he is a prominent figure in the Malayalam film industry and a national award-winning director. She recounted that during a visit to his residence to discuss a film project, she felt uncomfortable due to his subtle advances, despite her clear disapproval.
Malayalam Filmmaker Ranjith Resigns
Malayalam filmmaker Ranjith has stepped down as the chairman of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy after being accused of inappropriate behavior by Bengali actor Sreelekha Mitra.
Ranjith, a well-known and respected figure in the Malayalam film industry, resigned from his position on Sunday. He explained in an audio message that he chose to leave his role to protect the reputation of the Left government in Kerala, as reported by PTI. Ranjith also made it clear that he plans to defend himself against the allegations through legal action.
The allegations stem from an incident that Mitra says took place several years ago. According to her, she visited Ranjith’s residence to discuss a film project. During their conversation, she claims that Ranjith made subtle advances toward her, which made her feel uncomfortable.
Mitra described Ranjith as a “big name” in the Malayalam film industry and a national award-winning director. After the incident, she decided not to be part of the project and returned to Kolkata.
Mitra also expressed concern that other female actors in the industry might have had similar experiences with him but may have been too afraid to speak out because of his influence and power. She emphasized the importance of women coming forward with their stories and expressed hope that incidents of gender misconduct will decrease in the future.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, he has denied any wrongdoing. He claimed that he is the true victim in this situation and vowed to fight the accusations legally.
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Massive Protests Against Filmmaker Ranjith
In the wake of serious allegations made by a prominent actor, large-scale protests have spread across Kerala, calling for strict action against filmmaker Ranjith. The outcry has gained significant attention, with notable figures like filmmaker Dr. Biju publicly criticizing him.
Youth Congress state vice-president Abin Varkey has escalated the matter by filing a formal complaint with the police chief, urging immediate action.
The political landscape has also been stirred. The opposition Congress expects him to resign from his position as the chairman of the film academy, while the BJP argues that he lacks the moral authority to remain in the role. CPI leader Annie Raja has called for a thorough investigation into the allegations and insists that he should be removed from his position during the inquiry.
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Malayalam Filmmaker Ranjith Resigns FAQs
Q.1. Why did Malayalam filmmaker Ranjith resign as chairman of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy?
Ans. He resigned after actor Sreelekha Mitra accused him of inappropriate behavior during the pre-production of a 2009 film.
Q.2. What are the allegations against Ranjith?
Ans. Sreelekha Mitra alleged that he made subtle advances towards her during a script discussion at his residence, which made her uncomfortable.
Q.3. What has been the public response to the allegations against Ranjith?
Ans. The allegations have sparked widespread protests in Kerala, with demands for a thorough investigation and his removal from his position.
Q.4. What actions have political parties taken regarding Ranjith’s resignation?
Ans. The opposition Congress and BJP have called for his resignation, while the CPI has urged for a detailed investigation into the allegations.
Q.5. How has Ranjith responded to the accusations?
Ans. He has denied the allegations and claimed that he is the true victim. He plans to defend himself legally.
