Popular Malayalam filmmaker Ranjith Balakrishnan, who produced, directed, and acted in many films, has been arrested in a sexual assault case filed by a female actor. The arrest was carried out by Ernakulam Central Police with support from local authorities in Thodupuzha, Idukki district.
Police acted discreetly. Ranjith was intercepted while traveling for an event and taken into custody without public disturbance. He was first taken to the Thodupuzha police station for formalities and later shifted to Kochi for further investigation.
The case relates to an alleged incident during the shooting of a film. The complainant, a young actress, accused him of inappropriate behavior on set. Before going to the police, she had filed a complaint with the film’s Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), which later escalated the matter to the Kerala Police.
This is not the first time Ranjith has faced such allegations. In 2024, he stepped down as chairman of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy after harassment claims by Bengali actor Sreelekha Mitra. He had denied those allegations at the time.
The investigation is ongoing, and more details are expected as cops continue their inquiry.
