‘Felt uncomfortable’: Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra accuses Malayalam director Ranjith of ‘misbehaviour’
The actress narrated an incident allegedly in connection with Ranjith's 2009 movie ‘Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha’. The director denies the allegation.
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Ranjith has denied the allegations, saying he had just called Sreelekha for an audition. Ace Malayalam film director and chairman of government-run Kerala Chalachitra Academy Ranjith is on the dock for allegedly misbehaving with Bengali actor Sreelekha Mitra in 2009.
Talking to the media Friday, Sreelekha narrated an incident in connection with Ranjith’s film ‘Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha’ in 2009. The allegation seems to have come up against the backdrop of release of Hema Committee report, which exposed rampant sexual abuse in the film industry.
Referring to her meeting with Ranjith at an apartment, Sreelekha said: “He was on a phone call. There were a lot of people. He was on the phone with the cinematographer with whom I had worked. Asking me whether I want to talk to him (the cinematographer), he (Ranjith) called me to another room.”
She followed him, she went on to say.
“The bedroom was dark and there was a balcony. When I talked to the cinematographer over the phone, he (Ranjith) was standing beside me. He was playing with my bangles and touching my skin. We women have the sixth sense. I felt uncomfortable, but I was trying to give him the benefit of doubt. I thought I was overthinking and thought he wanted to see my bangles. I was not feeling ok with him. The room was dark. After realising that I was not reacting or taking back my hand, he tried to play with my neck and hair. Then, I excused myself and left the room,” she said, adding: “This was not shocking, but I know how the film industry works by and large. There are good and bad people.”
Denying the allegation, Ranjith said Sreelekha had come for an audition. “Filmmaker Shankar Ramakrishnan and others were present at the flat. The alleged incident did not take place. Her performance was not satisfactory and it was communicated to her. There is an ulterior agenda behind raising this controversy at this moment. If she takes any legal step, it would be countered in the same manner,” he told the media.
After the Congress-led Opposition sought the resignation of Ranjith from the state-run Kerala Chalachitra Academy, Culture Affairs Minister Saji Cherian on Saturday told media that no action could be taken “based on an allegation”.
“We are for the cause of women. There should be a written complaint for any action. It is up to the party (Communist Party of India-Marxist) to take a decision on whether Ranjith should be removed as the chairman of the academy. Ranjith has responded to the allegation. He is one of the best film makers in the country,” the minister said.
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