Actress Srilekha Mitra speaks of corruption in Bengali film industry amid allegations against Malayalam director Ranjith
Actress Srilekha Mitra. file Photo Credit: X/@SreelekhaSpeaks
Prominent Bengali actor Srilekha Mitra, who recently accused Malayalam filmmaker and former Kerala State Film Academy chairperson Ranjith of sexual harassment, said the Bengali film industry ostracized her four years ago when she spoke out about misconduct and “crooks” in Tollywood.
Mr Ranjith resigned as chairperson of the Kerala State Film Academy following Ms Mitra’s allegations in the wake of the release of the Justice Hema Committee report and the renewed #MeToo movement among women in the Malayalam film industry.
According to media reports, Miss Mitra also lodged a complaint with the Kochi City Police based on her complaint. However, when asked about this, he refused to comment.
The actor said in his complaint that the incident took place in a flat in Kochi, Kerala in 2009 when he was invited to act in the film. Palerimanikkam Directed by Mr. Ranjith. According to her complaint, the director allegedly held her hand during their discussion and then tried to touch other parts of her body with ‘sexual intent’.
Director Ranjith. | Photo credit: The Hindu
She added that she returned to the hotel where she was staying when she realized that the filmmaker’s intentions were sexual and not related to their discussion about the film.
talking HinduMs. Mitra said, “This was a unique incident that happened in Kerala. I never thought it would blow up to where it is now. I want to put a lid on this… I have not spoken to Kerala media. someone called [director] Joshi Joseph took my name. These events led to the present scenario.”
He added that four years ago, after Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, he had named a few miscreants “who are within the Tollywood industry” while pointing out the industry’s “pretty blatant practices”.
Talking about the reaction of Bengali actors, including women, she said, “Four years ago they said I was playing the victim card. And now they have formed a forum to ensure workplace safety for women?
He also raised questions about the stalwarts of the Bengali film industry, who he claimed were alienated when he raised his voice against industry malpractice. “What about people from this [Bengali] Art? What about women in this industry? They tried to defame me,” he said.
He called them “the biggest manipulators, criminals and money launderers”.
Ms. Mitra also said that she was sick and tired of not only men but also the “pettyness, meanness and mistreatment of the tollygunge industry”.
