Actor Siddique And Filmmaker Ranjith Resign Amid Sex Assault Allegation
Noted Malayalam actor Siddique resigned as the general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists on Sunday. Just moments after announcing his resignation, renowned filmmaker Ranjith too resigned as chairman of Kerala Chalachitra Academy following an allegation of misbehavior leveled by a Bengali actor.
While speaking to a television channel, Siddique said that he had sent his resignation letter to the President of the organization, Mohanlal.
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“Yes. I have tendered my official resignation to the president of the organisation, Mohanlal. Since there were allegations against me, I have decided not to continue in the post and resigned,” Siddique said.
The survivor, who had alleged assault in 2019, recently after the release of the Hema Committee report, reiterated what happened to her.
She said that she had been sexually abused by the actor after inviting her for a movie discussion.
Siddique while speaking to the television also said that he would respond to the allegations after getting legal advice. Ironically, on August 23, responding to the Hema Committee report, Siddique had said that he was unaware of ‘casting couch’, a euphemism for sexual harassment in the film industry.
These allegations have come in the wake of the churn in the Malayalam film industry following the release of the Justice Hema Committee report, which has pointed out several instances of casting couch and sexual abuse in the field.
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On August 23, Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra accused Renjith of misbehaving with her during the audition of the 2009 Malayalam film Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha. Ranjith is one of the most celebrated filmmakers in the contemporary Malayalam film industry. The film directed by Ranjith also featured Mammootty, Shweta Menon, and Mythili, in the lead roles.
Narrating the incident while speaking to television, Sreelekha alleged, “I was talking on the phone to a cinematographer, standing in Ranjith’s bedroom balcony. As I stood there, he touched my bangles. I was uncomfortable with it, but I gave him the benefit of doubt. Then he started caressing my neck, so I excused myself and left the room.”
Since the incident was too traumatic, the actress said that she was unable to share it with anyone. “After the incident, I spent the night in my hotel room in fear, thinking, what if people come and knock on my door? I was waiting for daylight,” she added.
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The actress further said that she was not provided with any travel ticket to return to her hometown and had to book her flight back. Moreover, she said she did not get any opportunities in any Malayalam film after the incident.
