In the month of August 2024, several allegations of misconduct were leveled in the Malayalam film industry by a reputed director Ranjith. Bengali actress Srilekha Mitra had accused him of behaving indecently when he was talking to her about the possibility of casting her in a film in 2009. This was an eye-opener for a country that was very skeptical about the issue of sexual harassment at this time. This eventually led to Ranjith resigning from the post of the Chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy (KSCA). This article highlights the details of the case, the reactions it generated, and the wider implications for the Malayalam film industry.
allegations against ranjit
On a hot August day in 2009, Srilekha Mitra, a renowned Bengali actress of the Bengali film and television industry, was allegedly harassed by Ranjit over a film.
Mitra had arrived in Kochi to discuss with Ranjit about the character he was going to give her in life. Interestingly, Ranjit, who called the meeting on this very basis, allegedly made unwanted advances towards her, which made Mitra feel extremely uncomfortable and humiliated. According to Mitra, Ranjit touched her with sexual intent and crossed the line which made her feel safe.
Mitra further added that she immediately told one of Ranjit’s team members about her ordeal and fled the apartment without accepting the role offered to her. She remembers being upset and disturbed by what had happened and fearing the consequences and the impact it could have on her career, she kept quiet for now.
Fallout and reactions
Those allegations against Ranjith have really rocked the Malayalam film industry and beyond. As quickly as the Hema Committee report came out, it was in the news a few days before Mitra levelled allegations on the Hema Committee report and there being multiple systemic and sexual abuses on women which led to public outcry and uproar?
Mitra’s allegations against Ranjit were the spark that ignited the fire and sensitized the issue of misconduct. Many applauded her courage in speaking to power, the power plays in the industry and the potential retribution that followed. For some, her case became a symbol of overdue change; others describe a decades-long delay.
Ranjit’s reply and resignation
Ranjit has vehemently denied the allegations, saying that Mitra was only called for an audition and nothing out of the ordinary happened. He has dismissed the alleged misbehaviour with Mitra and said that he has misunderstood the entire episode. Ranjit said that he is saddened that Mitra made the issue public, as his name was dragged into the controversy and ruined him both personally and professionally.
However, as the outrage grew and public pressure mounted, Ranjith decided to resign from the post of the chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy (KSCA). Ranjith, in a statement released by him, said that he regretted the allegations and denied all of them. A section believed that Ranjith must be facing the exit door and saw his resignation as a show of some urgency and accountability, sending a message that the industry, at least, was quite serious about dealing with these things.
Implications for the Malayalam film industry
Ranjith’s allegations and subsequent resignation caused a great deal of unrest in the Malayalam film industry. Raising a lot of hue and cry over the prevailing sexual harassment and demanding a safe working environment for women, several leading stars, actresses and female crew members have come out with their experiences of harassment and misconduct to bring to light systemic problems.
The incident also brought out into the open the debate on the power play between directors and aspiring actresses. The power that a director has by virtue of his position is seen as something that can lead to exploitation and abuse. There were demands for greater transparency and accountability in the way the industry functions, as well as assurances of a friendly environment where women would have no fear of retribution if they decided to speak out.
Role of Hema Committee Report
The complaint against Ranjith was filed just after the release of the Hema Committee report, which brought the issue of sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry into the spotlight. The report was prepared under retired judge and former actress Justice B. Kemal Pasha and submitted to the Kerala State Women’s Commission, which probed allegations of sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry.
The Hema Committee report brought forth even more horrific stories of harassment, exploitation and abuse against women at various levels of the trade. It brought to light a culture of silence and perhaps the complicity of co-conspirators, where victims either felt too small or too afraid to come forward. The report recommended several measures to address the issue, including stricter regulations, better reporting mechanisms and increased support for victims.
The way forward: Towards a safer industry
Srilekha Mitra’s allegations and the resulting backlash are prompting swift action towards changing the systemic structure of Malayalam cinema. Here are some steps of action that can be put in place to create a safer and more equitable environment:
- Strict enforcement of anti-harassment policies: Film production houses as well as all industry associations should have strict anti-harassment policies. These policies should clearly define prohibited behaviors, reporting processes, and consequences.
- Empower victims: Encourage and support victims of sexual harassment and abuse to speak out. Activate safe, confidential reporting channels while providing victims with access to justice and counselling services.
- Education and training: Established and upcoming professionals at every level must be given the necessary training in the role of a bystander to sexual harassment, understanding consent, and a culture of respect so that all are able to identify and speak up against inappropriate behaviour.
- Transparent casting processes: There should be transparency in the casting process and auditions should be fair. Professionals should conduct auditions in a professional environment. Directors should not be allowed to demand special personal meetings or special favours from an aspiring actress.
- Accountability and consequences: Sexual harassment and abuse should be a zero-tolerance zone. Every part should be studied seriously and punished in appropriate ways – by demotion in power and exposure in front of the public – where the culprits will face judgment.
conclusion
Srilekha Mitra’s case against Malayalam director Ranjith exemplifies the more widely appreciated problem of rape in the Malayalam film industry. It again shows the importance of speaking up, holding perpetrators accountable and making institutional changes to keep other women safe. Maybe the shock of the incident in this scene is not for that one person, not for that film, but for dangerously derailing the course set for much-needed change towards a safer and more equitable environment.
After these allegations and what has come out of the Hema Committee report, the Malayalam film industry now has a chance to reform energetically. It can implement the recommended measures and instill a culture of respect and a sense of responsibility. The industry can then become one of the first examples of a safe and empowering environment for women in film.
Let Srilekha Mitra’s story be a lesson: speaking up, speaking out openly, can help each of us put an end to the rampant promiscuity that has tainted our trade. Let us together build an industry where talent, creativity and integrity can thrive.
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