Kerala Minister Assures Action Against KCA Chairman Ranjith As Actress Alleges 'Misbehaviour'

Ranjith Accused Of Misbehaviour: Days after the Justice Hema Committee revealed its findings regarding the working conditions of women in the Malayalam industry, a Bengali actress accused Malayalam film director and chairman of the state-run Kerala Chalachitra Academy, Ranjith, of misbehaviour. The actress has levelled serious allegations against the filmmaker detailing how he made her feel uncomfortable on the movie set leading her to leave the project. Kerala Cultural and Youth Affairs Minister Saji Cherian has now ‘assured’ guaranteed action against Ranjith.

The government will not protect whoever makes the mistake: Kerala Cultural and Youth Affairs Minister on Ranjith 

Kerala Cultural and Youth Affairs Minister Saji Cherian on Saturday said that action is "assured" if allegations of inappropriate behaviour against a woman actor by director and Kerala State Chalachitra Academy Ranjith are proven. "The government will not protect whoever makes the mistake. Action assured if the allegations against Film Academy Chairman Ranjith are proved," he wrote on Facebook.
 

Earlier, filmmaker Biju had demanded the removal of Ranjith from the position of Chalachitra Academy chairman. In his post on Facebook, the filmmaker said “For the past three years, several allegations have been levelled against the Chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy. There were complaints that the Chairman directly influenced jury members to grant awards to certain individuals and to deny them to some films. This was openly stated by director Vinayan and two other jury members.”

What are the allegations against Ranjith? 
 

A Bengali actor has levelled an accusation of misbehaviour against eminent Malayalam film director and chairman of the state-run Kerala Chalachitra Academy, Ranjith, spelling fresh trouble for the Pinarayi Vijayan government which is facing opposition heat on its alleged inaction over the Justice Hema Committee report.  The report had revealed instances of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry, prompting calls for action against the guilty.

"The person concerned is a big name in the Malayalam film industry and a national award winning director. I went to his residence to discuss an upcoming film project and I did not like his behaviour. He made certain advances subtly and I felt uncomfortable while we were discussing the script," Mitra told PTI in Kolkata. He did this without her consent and she made her disapproval very clear. "I immediately communicated my decision not to be part of the project any more, left the place and came back to Kolkata the next day," she added. 

"I don't know if he has treated other female actors in the film industry in the same way. It is upto them to open up or not if they had faced similar situation. May be his power and influence played a role for others to not to speak out," she added. The filmmaker has reportedly rejected Mitra's charge and said he was the "real victim" in the case.

"The incident in Kerala was years back...but it is heartening that women are speaking out with greater vigour and conviction against any form of misconduct now, taking out rallies, and I am looking forward to the day when a number of any instance of gender abuse, misconduct will go down and women will not have such harrowing tales any more," Mitra added. In Kerala, many demanded Ranjith stepped down as the Chairman of the film academy.

(With inputs from agencies)