Malayalam filmmaker Ranjith resigns amid misconduct allegations

Thiruvananthapuram: Malayalam filmmaker Ranjith resigned as chairman of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy on Sunday after a Bengali actor accused him of misconduct.

The Bengali actress recently alleged that the award-winning filmmaker had behaved inappropriately when she came to the shooting of a film he had directed in 2009.

The filmmaker has dismissed the actor’s charges, claiming he was the “real victim” in the case.

In an audio clip sent to a television channel, Ranjith said he no longer wants to remain the chairman of Chalachitra Academy as it would negatively impact the reputation of the Left government in the state.

He also said he would legally challenge the allegations against him.

“Since the day I became president of the academy, I have been targeted by a certain group of people. I have to prove to society that the accusations are untrue. I have decided to take legal action and bring out the truth,” he claimed in the audio clip.

“Many people, including the media, are attacking me without understanding the truth. In this context, I have decided to resign from my post,” Ranjith said.

Though the state government has said that legal action will be taken against the accused if the woman files a complaint with the police, the actress on Sunday said she does not want to file a case with the police.

“I don’t want to file a complaint. Because for the past three days, I have been hounded by the media in Kerala and Bengal. I have to continue with my work,” she told a television channel.

She wondered who would run her household if she continued with this.

“I started the process. I’m passing the baton to whoever is going to take it further,” the actress added.

After Ranjith announced his resignation, Culture Minister Saji Cheriyan told reporters that the government would accept the filmmaker’s resignation once he submitted it.

The minister reiterated that the left-wing government has always supported victims in cases of sexual abuse and assault, and rejected allegations that he tried to protect the accused director.

“I have always taken a strict stand in favour of women in all issues,” he asserted. “The Left government’s stand is also crystal clear in this issue. We are always on the side of victims in such cases. Strict action will be taken against the wrongdoers.”

The minister also accused the media of “misinterpreting” his words and claimed that he had never supported Ranjith.

Cheriyan stirred controversy on Saturday by claiming that Ranjith is one of the most acclaimed filmmakers in the country and that no case can be filed on the basis of mere allegations. Such cases do not hold water.

Because his response caused an uproar, the minister later posted a message on Facebook in which he made it clear that the government will not protect anyone who has committed a crime.

Ranjith was forced to announce his resignation on Sunday morning after massive protests against him and the state government over the shocking allegations.

The opposition parties Congress and BJP have already made it clear that Ranjith has no moral right to continue in office.

Meanwhile, BJP activists this morning took out a protest march to Ranjith’s residence in Kozhikode demanding his resignation.

Rajya Sabha MP and state Mahila Congress chief Jebi Mather said Ranjith’s resignation was not enough and a case should be filed against him based on the actor’s allegations and a thorough investigation conducted.

Mather also strongly criticised the perceived lukewarm response of the police and the Women’s Commission to the allegations made by women against prominent figures in the film industry.

“Why couldn’t the police take action, despite a series of recognizable violations mentioned in the Hema Commission report?” she asked.

The Bengali actress’ allegations of misconduct against Ranjith have created fresh problems for the Pinarayi Vijayan government, which is facing opposition over its alleged negligence in the matter of the Justice Hema Commission report.

The report exposes cases of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry, prompting calls for action against the culprits.