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Popular Indian Bengali actress Srilekha Mitra has made serious allegations against Malayalam director Ranjith. She claimed that the director touched her body without permission. He made this allegation public during a discussion with an Indian media on August 24.

Srilekha told Indian media that she was sexually harassed by the director during the audition for the southern film ‘Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha’ in 2009. Srilekha made this explosive accusation against veteran Malayalam director and Kerala Film Academy Chairman Ranjith recently.

The actress said, ‘Ranjith suddenly called me to his bedroom to narrate the story of the film. I thought maybe he was calling to avoid the crowd. The room was quite dark. I was standing on the balcony of the house talking to a cinematographer on the phone. Suddenly the director started playing with my bangles. We women understand the meaning of a man’s touch. I was uncomfortable because I was not very friendly with him. But I couldn’t be sure. After that he kept touching my neck and hair. Immediately I left that room.

The actress said that the result of this incident is terrible. In his words, I could not share this incident with anyone. After this incident I went to my hotel and spent the whole night in great fear. It seemed as if someone came and knocked on the door. I was waiting for daylight.’

Claiming Srilekha’s allegation as false, Ranjith said, “He has accused her of sexual harassment as she was not given any role.” I spoke to Srilekha in front of screenwriter Shankar Ramakrishna. There were also two assistants.

Not only that, Ranjith also resigned from the post of chairman of Kerala Film Academy after this complaint. Despite such accusations against him, the Minister of Cultural Affairs of that state, Saji Cherian, asked questions on behalf of the director. Said that no case will be filed against such a talented artist of South India based on any complaint alone.