In his complaint sent to the state police chief, the man alleged that Ranjith sexually abused him at a five-star hotel in Bengaluru in 2012.
Published Aug 29, 2024 | 2:31 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 29, 2024 | 2:43 PM
File photo of Filmmaker Ranjith addressing the valedictory function of the IFFK. (KB Jayachandran)
Days after an FIR was registered against the Malayalam film-maker Ranjith Balakrishnan based on a complaint by a female actor from West Bengal regarding an incident which occurred in 2009, a man from Kozhikode, Kerala accused Ranjith of sexually abusing him in 2012.
In his complaint sent to the state police chief, the man alleged that Ranjith sexually abused him at a five-star hotel in Bengaluru in 2012.
Speaking to the media, the complainant claimed that Ranjith saw him during the shooting of Mammootty starrer Bavuttiyude Namathil (2012) in Kozhikode and gave him his mobile number written on a tissue paper, promising him a movie role.
The complainant further said that he met the director at a five-star hotel in Bengaluru, where Ranjith asked him to get naked.
“He said my eyes were beautiful and asked me to do my eyebrows. I cannot say the things he did to me now. I will tell that to the police,” the complainant added.
The complainant also said that the director had sent his naked photos to an actress, who had allegedly liked his photos. The man claimed that Ranjith, however, had not given him any movie role. “He only gave me some money, with the whole ordeal, I underwent mental trauma.”
Following allegations of sexual harassment from a West Bengal actor, an FIR under IPC Section 354 (assault or criminal force on woman with intent to outrage her modesty), was filed against him.
Ranjith had also resigned from his post as chairman of the state-run Kerala Chalachitra Academy.
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.
However, this is the first time, a man has come forward with a complaint of sexual assault, in the wake of the Hema Commission report.
(Edited by Sumavarsha Kandula, with inputs from Arjun Ramachandran)
