Bengali actress Srilekha Mitra has filed an FIR against Malayalam director Ranjith Balakrishnan.

After renowned Malayalam director Ranjith resigned as the president of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy following allegations of 'inappropriate behaviour' by Bengali actress Srilekha Mitra, he has officially filed a complaint with the Kochi City Police Commissioner.

Srilekha Mitra, a well-known figure in the Bengali film and television scene, alleged that Ranjith made her feel 'uncomfortable' during a meeting at his apartment in Kochi regarding his 2009 film, Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirkolapathakathinte Katha. In her email complaint, Ranjith detailed incidents of her being touched “for sexual purposes” and noted that she informed screenwriter Joshi Joseph about the situation.

The allegations have sparked significant controversy in light of the recent Hema Committee report that highlighted “fundamental sexual abuse” in the Malayalam film industry. Interestingly, Mitra had earlier expressed reluctance to lodge a complaint, saying, “Since I have worked here, I don't want to go there and file a complaint. I expect at least an apology.”

Now it remains to be seen if the police will start investigating Ranjith's behavior after a formal complaint has been filed. There is growing speculation in opposition circles that the CPI-led government may be generous to Ranjith, as he is close to CM Pinarayi Vijayan and has ties to the son of CPI-M state secretary MV Govindan, who is looking to enter the film industry.

Recalling the alleged incident in 2009, Mitra described how she met Ranjith and his team to discuss a possible role, only to encounter unwanted advances that prompted her to quit. Ranjith has vehemently denied the allegations, saying that the friend was only called for the audition.

– with input from IANS