Kerala Film Academy Chair Ranjith Resigns Amid Misconduct Allegations by Sreelekha Mitra

Aug 25, 2024, 09:15 AM

Malayalam filmmaker Ranjith has resigned as the chairman of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy following allegations of misbehaviour and misconduct made by Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra. The allegations, which include claims of sexual harassment, have prompted Ranjith to step down from his position. The Kerala Cultural Minister's office confirmed the resignation on August 25, 2024, highlighting the seriousness of the accusations. Despite the allegations, some officials, including Kerala Culture Minister Saji Cherian, initially defended Ranjith, stating that action could not be taken merely on the basis of allegations. Sreelekha Mitra accused Ranjith of inappropriate behavior dating back to 2019, which she claims made her uncomfortable. Ranjith has denied the allegations, describing them as lies and part of a conspiracy against him. The controversy has sparked discussions on the prevalence of harassment in the Malayalam film industry, with references to the Justice Hema Committee's report on the issue.