Sreelekha Mitra accuses Malayalam director Ranjith of ‘misconduct’

Sreelekha Mitra accuses Malayalam director Ranjith of ‘misconduct’

Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra
has accused Malayalam film director and chairman of government-run Kerala Chalachitra Academy of misconduct towards her.

In her media interaction on 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 articulated that he was on a phone call with a cinematographer with whom she had worked. He asked her whether I want to talk to him (the cinematographer), he (Ranjith) called her to another room. She followed him.

The bedroom was dark and there was a balcony. When she talked to the cinematographer over the phone, he (Ranjith) was standing beside her. He was playing with her bangles and touching her skin. We women have the sixth sense. She felt uncomfortable, nevertheless, shd was trying to give him the benefit of doubt. She thought she was overthinking and thought he wanted to see her bangles. She wasn’t feeling ok with him. After realising that she was not reacting or taking back her hand, he tried to play with her neck and hair. Then, she excused herself and left the room,” adding that this was not shocking, but she knew the film industry works by and large and there are good and bad people too.

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.

Talking to the media on 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 and here were a lot of people. He was on the phone with the cinematographer with whom she had worked. Asking her whether Ishr ewant to talk to him (the cinematographer), he (Ranjith) called me to another room. She followed him, went on to say.
That the bedroom was dark with no balcony. When she talked to the cinematographer over the phone, he (Ranjith) was standing beside her. He was playing with her bangles and touching her. skin. We women have the sixth sense. She felt uncomfortable, but nevertheless trying to give him the benefit of doubt. She thought she was overthinking and thought he wanted to see hee.bangles. I

Amidst 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.

The Minister added that they are for the cause of women and 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.

News Edit K.V.Raman