Malayalam filmmaker Ranjith Balakrishnan has been arrested over alleged sexual assault charges after a complaint was filed by an actress. He has been sent to judicial custody for 14 days and returned to the Ernakulam Sub Jail in Keralam. An actress, who is part of his latest film, lodged a complaint with the police, alleging sexual assault.
Complaint against Malayalam filmmaker Ranjith
On Tuesday evening, Ranjith was taken into police custody in connection with an attempted sexual assault case, said the police. An actress who was working with him filed a complaint alleging that he attempted to sexually assault her on a film set. He was taken into custody from the Idukki district.
In her complaint, the actress alleged that Ranjith invited her to a caravan during the film’s shoot and attempted to assault her. Based on her statement, a case has been registered under multiple sections, including outraging the modesty of a woman, sexual assault, wrongful confinement and making obscene gestures.
The case was registered by Kochi City Police on Monday after the actress’ statement was recorded at the Women’s Police Station. The police stated that the proceedings of Ranjith’s arrest were carried out with ‘utmost secrecy’.
On Wednesday, Ranjith was produced before a magistrate in the alleged sexual assault case. He was remanded to judicial custody for 14 days and returned to the Ernakulam Sub Jail. The filmmaker’s advocate has shared that they are now preparing to move a bail plea in court.
The 2024 allegations against Ranjith
This is not the first time that Ranjith has been accused of sexual misconduct. In 2024, he resigned as the chairman of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy after a Bengali actress made harassment claims against him. Mollywood, apart from politicians, had a strong reaction with many actors and filmmakers publicly calling for his resignation.
He denied the allegations following revelations in the Justice K Hema Committee report, claiming he was the ‘real victim’ in the case. A case was registered with the Kochi City Police back then after a complaint was emailed. In the complaint, the actress alleged him of touching her inappropriately with sexual intent after asking her to act in his 2009 film Paleri Manikyam. The Kerala High Court had dismissed his anticipatory bail plea after the police stated that they were considering treating the offence allegedly committed in 2009 as bailable.
In 2024, a man also accused Ranjith of sexual assault, but in 2025, the Karnataka High Court quashed the case.
(With inputs from agencies)
