Filmmaker Ranjith Was Accused Of Inappropriately Touching Actress Sreelekha Before His Recent Arrest

Popular Malayalam filmmaker, Ranjith has been arrested in connection with a sexual assault case after a complaint from a young actress. The complainant, who is a part of Ranjith’s upcoming film, stated that she was sexually assaulted at the location of the film. Ranjith was taken into custody from Thodupuzha while he was on his way to Idukki. According to the police, the actor alleged that the director invited her to a caravan during the shooting of a film and attempted to sexually assault her.

Filmmaker Ranjith was once accused of touching a Bengali actress, Sreelekha Mitra, inappropriately

In 2024, Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra raised serious accusations against Malayalam filmmaker and Kerala Chalachitra Academy chairman Ranjith. Sreelekha accused Ranjith of touching her inappropriately during the making of the film, Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha. She spoke to Asianet News about the ordeal and revealed that she faced a very traumatic episode with the filmmaker.

Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra felt disgusted after being touched by Ranjith

Narrating what exactly happened with her, Sreelekha shared that she landed in Kochi for the shoot of Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha and was asked to meet Ranjith. When she met Ranjith for the first time at a guest house in Kochi, the filmmaker was on a call with a cinematographer she had worked with earlier. Seeing her, Ranjith handed the call over to Sreelekha, who then spoke to the cinematographer.

While she was on call, Ranjith started touching the actress inappropriately as he first played with her bangles and then played with her hair. Sreelekha was so traumatised by the episode that she left the room in a hurry. The whole episode left her so disgusted that she took the next flight back. Speaking to the media house about the episode, she said:

“I was waiting for the daylight to break in and run away. I felt distressed and fearful to stay in the hotel. I left on a flight the next day at my own expense.”

Ranjith denied the allegation levied on him by Sreelekha Mitra

Following allegations that surfaced in 2024, the veteran filmmaker was forced to resign as chairman of the Kerala State Chalachithra Academy. However, Ranjith denied Sreelekha's accusation and stated that he was the victim. The acclaimed Malayalam filmmaker stated that she came to his apartment while his assistants were also present. Ranjith Suther shared that the story was narrated to her, but they felt she was not suitable for the role.

While Sreelekha’s complaint led to a police case and legal proceedings, it was later quashed by the Kerala High Court in October 2025 on technical grounds, citing the expiry of the statutory time limit to pursue the matter.

Sreelekha Mitra reacts to Ranjith’s arrest

Now, as the filmmaker is arrested and is put on a 14-day judicial custody, Sreelekha finally feels that justice is served to her. Speaking to a leading media house about Ranjith’s arrest, Sreelekha shared:

“Karma is a bitch, it leaves nobody. Whatever goes around comes around. He may be an acclaimed director or a famous figure, but this recent incident proves that he is essentially not a good human being.”

In the same interaction, Sreelekha also stated that the filmmaker’s consistent denial of allegations across cases followed a familiar pattern. Sharing her thoughts, Sreelekha shared that Ranjith’s arrest should set an example for sexual predators. In her words:

“Back then, I knew no one. Social media was not that relevant. My case was kind of nullified because of time constraints and technical issues. Maybe he thought he would go scot-free yet again. But no. These kinds of sexual predators should be put behind bars. This should be set as an example that women deserve respect in their workplace.”

Did you know about the accusations levied by Sreelekha Mitra on Ranjith?

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