Actor’s sex assault charge against Director Ranjith, says he was ‘forced to strip’

Another complaint has been filed against Malayalam film director Ranjith alleging that he sexually assaulted a young actor back in 2012.

The complaint was filed by a resident of Kozhikode, who alleges he was sexually assaulted by Ranjith in 2012 after being lured to a Bengaluru hotel under the guise of an audition.

The complainant alleges that Ranjith forced him to strip and assaulted him, promising him roles in exchange. The victim said he believed it was part of the audition process and was even offered money the next morning., news agency ANI reported.

The complaint was filed with the Director General of Kerala Police. The police said that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) would assess the complaint and take action accordingly.

Ranjith, a renowned fillmmaker in the southern film industry and the chairman of the state-run Kerala Chalachitra Academy, faced similar allegations on August 24, when Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra alleged that the director indulged in ‘misbehaviour’ during a film project discussion.

“He made certain advances subtly, and I felt uncomfortable while we were discussing the script,” Mitra told PTI in Kolkata.

These allegations have come to light in the aftermath of the release of the Justice Hema Commission Report, which details the sexual abuse rampant in the Malayalam film industry.