Malayalam Film Industry Braces For Legal Battles As Survivors And Alleged Perpetrators Respond To Accusations And Retaliations
Sreelekha Mitra, the acclaimed Bengali actress, has officially lodged a complaint with the Kochi City Police against director Ranjith Balakrishnan, alleging inappropriate behavior on his part
The Malayalam film industry is currently embroiled in a tumultuous wave of allegations and counter-allegations following the release of the Justice Hema Committee report. This report has unveiled serious claims of sexual harassment and retaliation, prompting both survivors and accused individuals to prepare for legal confrontations. Many have taken the step of filing complaints against one another, indicating a charged atmosphere of accountability and denial. ALSO READ: Female Malayalam Script Writer Accuses VK Prakash Of Forcing Himself On Her, Bribing Her To Stay Quiet; Says, ‘Admired His Films, Never Expected Him To Behave This Way’
One notable figure in this unfolding drama is renowned Bengali actor Sreelekha Mitra, who has publicly accused filmmaker Ranjith Balakrishnan of inappropriate behavior during the casting process for his 2009 film, Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha. Mitra recently lodged a formal complaint with the Kochi City Police, as reported by news agency ANI. Initially, Ranjith denied these allegations; however, he later resigned from his position as the head of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy in light of the accusations. ALSO READ: ‘He Invited Me To His Flat, Kissed My Neck From Behind’: Minu Muneer Makes SHOCKING Claims Of Sexual Abuse By Malayalam Co-Stars
Compounding the situation, a senior actor who previously stepped down from his role as general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) due to rape allegations has also filed a complaint against the survivor with the Kerala police. Officials confirmed that this complaint has been submitted to the Director General of Police.
In another significant development, a young writer has accused director VK Prakash of misconduct and has approached the special investigation team set up by the Kerala government to look into allegations of sexual misconduct within the industry. This team, comprised of seven high-ranking police officers, is led by IG Sparjan Kumar and includes four women IPS officers, highlighting an effort to address these serious issues comprehensively.
Additionally, a junior artiste has come forward with accusations against actor-producer Baburaj for an alleged sexual assault that occurred in 2019. Baburaj has denied these claims and expressed his intention to pursue legal action against the junior artiste.
The Justice Hema Committee report, released on August 19, has shed light on alarming realities within the Malayalam film industry, revealing systemic discrimination and exploitation faced by women. Key issues highlighted include the prevalence of the casting couch, inadequate facilities on film sets, significant pay disparities, and social ostracism faced by those who resist demands from powerful figures. As the industry grapples with these revelations, it remains to be seen how these legal battles will unfold and what changes may arise in response to these pressing concerns.
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