Popular Malayalam director and Kerala Chalachitra Academy chairman Ranjith denied having misbehaved with Bengali actor Sreelekha Mitra in 2009.
Sreelekha Mitra auditioned for a role in 'Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha' but was refused the part as she was not an apt choice, Ranjith reportedly told Malayalam media. He reportedly denied having misbehaved with Mitra in any manner.
The award-winning director was accused of misconduct at a hotel room during a party by activist-actor Mitra. According to the 48-year-old Mitra, she was cast for Ranjith's crime-mystery thriller 'Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha' after her performance in 'Akale', another critically acclaimed Malayalam movie. However, she had to fly back home and never got another chance in Mollywood ever again after resisting Ranjith's advances.
The producer of the movie invited her to attend a party, Mitra said. At the packed venue, Ranjith invited her to his room. She went to meet him believing it was to discuss the project but was shocked by his behaviour, the actor said.
"He played with my bangles. I felt uncomfortable but gave him the benefit of the doubt," she said.
Sreelekha further alleged that the award-winning director caressed her hair and neck. before she stormed out of the room.
As a consequence of his actions, she spent an entire night in fear in her hotel room. The artist's allegations come only days after a redacted version of the Hema Commission report narrated rampant sexual harassment and ill-treatment of women in the Malayalam film industry.