Popular Bengali actress, Sreelekha Mitra, just days ago, levied serious accusations against Malayalam filmmaker and Kerala Chalachitra Academy chairman, Ranjith, after the Hema Committee report was released. The actress accused the latter of inappropriately touching her while she was about to shoot for a film. Now, Sreelekha spoke about the rampant misogyny in the Bengali film industry.
During a recent conversation with The Hindu, Sreelekha shared that the Bengali industry is filled with people who are no different from "criminals, manipulators and money launderers". She revealed that people in the Bengali industry did not support her when she talked to them about her ordeal and mentioned that she had spoken against many prominent names earlier, but no one batted an eye.
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In the conversation, Sreelekha mentioned that she had spoken about the issue four years back following Bollywood actor, Sushant Singh Rajput's death and even named a few 'among the who’s who of the Tollywood industry', but to no avail. She further talked about the response she received from her fellow actors, even women, and added:
"Four years back, they said I have been playing a victim card. And now they have formed a forum ensuring the safety of the workplace for women? What about the people from this [Bengali] industry? What about the women who are the who’s who of this industry? They had tried to defame me."
Following the release of the Hema Committee report, a renewed #MeToo movement has started in the Malayalam film industry. According to various media reports, Bengali actress, Sreelekha Mitra has lodged a complaint with the Kochi City Police based on her allegations. In her complaint, Sreelekha mentions that the incident took place in a flat in Kochi back in 2009 when she came for the shoot of Ranjith's Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha.
In the same report, the Bengali actress mentioned that the director first allegedly touched her hand during their discussion and then proceeded to touch other parts of her body inappropriately, with sexual intention. While conversing with The Hindu, Sreelekha added:
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"This was a one-off incident which had happened in Kerala. I never thought that this would blow up to the present condition. I intend to put a lid on it… I was not the one who spoke to the Kerala media. Someone called [director] Joshy Joseph and took my name. These events led to the present scene."
Previously, while speaking to Asianet News, Sreelekha talked about her ordeal and narrated the incident when director, Ranjith tried to touch her inappropriately. She shared that after the director's attempted to harass her sexually, she went to her room and locked it. The actress further said she was so tensed after the incident that she blocked the door of her room with a chair and other furniture. She booked a flight the next morning at her own expense and flew back. In her words:
“I was waiting for the daylight to break in and run away. I felt distressed and fearful to stay in the hotel. I left on a flight the next day at my own expense.”
What do you think of Sreelekha Mitra's shocking revelations about the Bengali film industry?
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