Ranjith in his application claimed that the complaint was motivated by the woman actor’s disappointment at not being cast in the film.
Published Sep 03, 2024 | 12:34 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 03, 2024 | 3:17 PM
Ranjith at IFFK. (Photo: K B jayachandran)
Malayalam filmmaker Ranjith on Tuesday, 3 September, filed an anticipatory bail application in the Kerala High Court, in connection with a sexual harassment case filed by a female actor.
The allegations came after the Kerala government released the Justice Hema Committee report on 19 August, which highlighted the issues faced by women in the Malayalam film industry.
Following the allegations, an FIR under IPC Section 354 (assault or criminal force on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), was filed against him. Ranjith had also resigned as chairman of the state-run Kerala Chalachitra Academy.
Ranjith in his application claimed that the complaint was motivated by the female actor’s disappointment at not being cast in the film. He further argued that the conversation in question took place in the presence of other crew members.
Highlighting his ongoing medical treatment and the fear of imminent arrest, Ranjith has requested the court to protect him from police detention.
The Bengal-based actor alleged that after inviting her to audition for a role in the Malayalam movie Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha (2009), the director touched her arm in a manner that felt inappropriate.
The actress said he toyed with her bangles and stroked her hair. When he attempted to touch her neck, she left the room. The next day, the actor was told that she wouldn’t be part of the movie.
She, however, clarified that there was no sexual assault but Ranjith’s behaviour gave the impression that such an intention might have been there.
The case gained further traction when a special investigation team recorded a statement from Fr. Augustine Vattoli, who was informed about the incident by Joshi Joseph, a screenwriter and close associate of the actor.
Although Joshi had relayed the information to Fr. Augustine at the time, it was not disclosed publicly until the complaint was filed.
Father Augustine’s statement was subsequently recorded in connection with the ongoing investigation.
In a related development, Ranjith faces another sexual harassment case filed by the Kasaba police in Kozhikode.
This complaint was lodged by a young man from Kozhikode, leading to an FIR being registered against Ranjith on charges of sexual harassment.
The director’s legal troubles have intensified with multiple allegations, raising significant questions about the broader implications for his career and the Malayalam film industry.
The publication of the Justice K Hema Committee report on harassment and abuse in the Malayalam film industry has opened a can of worms with several female actors stepping forward with disturbing accounts of the mistreatment they faced at the hands of their various male counterparts.
The Kerala government constituted the Justice Hema Committee after the 2017 actress assault case and its report revealed instances of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry.
(Edited by Sumavarsha Kandula, with inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman)
