Malayalam director Ranjith likely to resign from Chalachitra Academy amid misconduct allegations

The Malayalam film industry is in turmoil following shocking revelations in the Hema Commission report. Adding to the industry's discomfort, seasoned filmmaker Ranjith has recently been accused of "misbehaviour" by a Bengali actress.

In light of the allegations, there is a growing demand for his resignation from the chairmanship of the prestigious Kerala Chalachitra Academy. The government is also under pressure to take action on the matter. According to reports, Ranjith is expected to step down from the chairman post on Saturday.

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Earlier this week, Bengali actress Sreelekha alleged that Ranjith "misbehaved" with her when she met him to discuss a project back in 2009. She recalled being invited into a dark room in the flat where the meeting took place and claimed that Ranjith touched her without consent, prompting her to leave immediately.

Ranjith, however, has denied the allegations. He claimed that she was rejected for the role because he did not like her performance and suggested ulterior motives behind her claims and the timing of her allegations. He even stated that he was prepared to fight her in court if necessary.

Despite his denial, the situation remains critical for Ranjith. The Hema Commission report has made serious allegations against the industry, claiming that men in powerful positions habitually exploit and seek sexual favours in return for work. "Undue importance is given to sex," the report stated.

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The report has put the Malayalam film industry in the spotlight, forcing those in high positions to confront the harsh reality. Recently, even seasoned actress Urvashi demanded the intervention of AMMA, the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, to take timely action and restore the image of the film industry, which has suffered significant damage since the report was made public.

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