Malayalam Filmmaker Ranjith Arrested Following Sexual Harassment Complaint

Malayalam filmmaker Ranjith Balakrishnan was taken into custody by the Ernakulam Central Police on Tuesday (March 31) evening, following a fresh sexual harassment complaint by a young female actor.

The actor alleged that Ranjith attempted to sexually assault her on a film set, police said, as per a report in PTI.

Ranjith sexual assault case

Ranjith was taken into custody by the Thodupuzha police while he was travelling to Idukki on Tuesday. The police conducted a preliminary enquiry, and upon establishing prima facie evidence, proceeded with the arrest.

The case was registered under 4 sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including outraging the modesty of a woman, sexual assault, wrongful confinement, and making obscene gestures. The investigation is currently underway.

The former chairman of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy was also taken to Ernakulam General Hospital for a mandatory medical examination, as per a report in ANI.

According to the police, the actor alleged that Ranjith invited her to a caravan during the shooting of a film currently under production and attempted sexual assault.

As per reports, before the arrest, the victim filed a formal complaint with the film’s Internal Complaints Committee (ICC). Once the committee reviewed the grievance, the case was passed over to the Kerala Police for further action. Officials stated that the entire preliminary inquiry was conducted with strict privacy, keeping the details of the complaint confidential.

This is not the first time Ranjith has been accused of sexual assault. In August 2024, Bengali actor Sreelekha Mitra accused the director of misbehaving with her during the audition for the 2009 Malayalam film Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha. 

In October 2025, the Kerala High Court quashed the case against Ranjith. In its order, the court cited a “significant delay” in lodging the complaint.