Reel heroes or real villians: Heads roll

Chairman and general secretary of Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes resign; CM appoints Special Investigative Team to probe allegations

- Rathi Kurup

The Kerala government on Sunday decided to constitute a Special Investigative Team (SIT) comprising senior women police officials to probe the allegations levelled by female actors in the Malayalam cinema.

The Malayalam film industry was in a state of turmoil on Sunday with senior director Ranjith, the chairman, and Siddique, the general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes, resigning on Sunday, after actors levelled charges of sexual harassment and sexual advances against them.

These charges were recorded in the Justice Hema Commission report which had, five years ago, delved into the working conditions of female artistes in the Malayalam film industry. The report has revealed instances of harassment and exploitation of women by a 'lustful lobby', prompting calls for action against the guilty.

Ranjith put in his papers as the chairman of the Chalachitra Academy, following revelations made by Bengali actor Sreelekha Mitra. The Left Government had, at first, defended Ranjith, a fellow Left traveller, but when the pressure mounted, the director had no choice but to quit his post. Mitra had recently alleged that the award-winning filmmaker had behaved in an inappropriate manner during the shooting of a film he had helmed in 2009. Mitra said she had a negative experience.

While working on the film 'Paleri Manikyam', directed by Ranjith.

The filmmaker has rejected the actor's charge, claiming he was the 'real victim' in the case. He also said he would fight the accusations against him legally.