The case, initially filed in Kerala, has moved to Bengaluru following allegations from a 31-year-old man regarding a serious incident at a luxury hotel near Kempegowda International Airport
Published Oct 28, 2024 | 8:18 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 28, 2024 | 8:18 PM
Case filed against Ranjith Balakrishnan for alleged sexual assault ( balakrishnan_ranjith on instagram)
Malayalam film director Ranjith Balakrishnan faces serious allegations following a complaint from a 31-year-old man who claims he was sexually assaulted by the director at a luxury hotel near Kempegowda International Airport.
The case originated in Kerala but has now been transferred to Bengaluru. According to police, the complainant filed the FIR at the BIAL police station under Section 377 of the IPC (unnatural offences) and Section 66E of the IT Act (violation of privacy).
The man reported that he first met Ranjith in 2012 in Kozhikode while visiting the set of “Bavuttiyude Namathil,” a film written and produced by the director. During this meeting, Ranjith allegedly obtained the complainant’s contact details.
The filmmaker later invited the man to the luxury hotel, where the alleged assault occurred. The complainant asserts that during their meeting, he was given alcohol and subsequently subjected to sexual coercion, including being forced to perform certain acts. He further claims Ranjith took explicit photos and videos and shared them with actress Revathy.
Initially reported to the Kasaba police in Kozhikode in August, Ranjith sought anticipatory bail from the Principal Sessions Court in Kozhikode on 9 September, where he was granted temporary relief for 30 days. The investigation into the allegations is ongoing.
In August, a Bengali actress accused Ranjith Balakrishnan of inappropriate behavior during the casting process for his 2009 Malayalam film, Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha.
She filed a complaint with the Kochi city police. Despite Ranjith’s denial of the allegations, he was forced to resign from his position as head of the government-run Kerala Chalachitra Academy.
The Justice Hema Committee Report, which was finally published on 19 August after several setbacks, has shed light on the severe discrimination faced by women in the Malayalam cinema.
The Justice Hema Committee Report confirmed the existence of the casting couch and highlighted the insecurity experienced by female actors in the Malayalam film industry. It also criticised the Malayalam film fraternity for being unfriendly to women and even engaging in lobbying.
The report paved the way for prime-time debates on news channels and discussions on social media, which focused on the dark side of the film industry.
(Edited by Ananya Rao with inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman)
