Malayalam Director Ranjith Balakrishnan Booked for Sexual Assault by a Man

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OCTOBER 29,2024

The Malayalam film industry has been rocked by serious allegations against prominent director Ranjith Balakrishnan. A case has been registered against the filmmaker, known for his award-winning movies and deep influence on the industry, after a 31-year-old man accused him of sexual assault dating back to December 2012. This news comes amid heightened attention on sexual harassment cases in the Malayalam film industry, with the accused claiming he was inspired by recent revelations to speak up.

Allegations and Details of the Case

The complainant, a 31-year-old man, alleges that he was assaulted by Balakrishnan at a five-star hotel near Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. According to the FIR, the two initially met on the set of the 2012 film Bavuttiyude Namathil, written and produced by Balakrishnan.

The complainant was visiting the set in Kozhikode with hopes of meeting actor Mammootty. After this meeting, Balakrishnan reportedly obtained the man's contact information and invited him to the hotel.

The victim alleges that upon his arrival, Balakrishnan offered him alcohol, after which the assault took place. The complaint was initially filed in Kerala but was later transferred to Bengaluru, where the alleged incident took place.

Also Read: Director Ranjith Seeks Anticipatory Bail Following Sexual Harassment Allegations

The charges filed against Balakrishnan fall under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to unnatural offences, and Section 66E of the Information Technology Act, addressing violations of privacy. On September 9, the Kozhikode Principal Sessions Court granted Balakrishnan anticipatory bail, which will be valid for 30 days.

A police source commented on the delay in the complaint, stating, 'The incident allegedly took place in 2012, but the complainant came out now in the wake of a series of sexual harassment allegations by many artists in the Malayalam film industry, which he claimed gave him the courage to register his complaint.'

Also Read: Malayalam Actor Nivin Pauly an Accused in Gang Rape Actor Denies Allegations

The Hema Committee Report and Industry-Wide Crisis

The Malayalam film industry has faced intense scrutiny recently due to multiple sexual harassment allegations. A 2017 government-commissioned investigation, led by retired judge Hema, was conducted to understand the experiences of women in the industry. After the findings of the Hema Committee Report were made public, many prominent names in the Malayalam film industry have been booked with cases of sexual harassment.

This ongoing crisis and the delays in addressing these issues have encouraged more victims to speak out, bringing awareness to a culture that appears to have shielded influential figures. The allegations against Balakrishnan may indicate a broader shift towards accountability within the Malayalam film industry.