Ranjith Balakrishnan Arrested - Actress Files Sexual Assault Complaint

Veteran Malayalam director and producer Ranjith Balakrishnan has been arrested by Ernakulam Central Police in connection with an alleged sexual assault complaint filed by a young actress. The actress reportedly filed a complaint with Kochi police, stating that during the shooting of a film, Ranjith invited her to his caravan and behaved in an indecent manner with sexual intent. Following preliminary inquiries by the film’s Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), the matter was forwarded to Kerala Police, who recorded her statement and initiated action. Ranjith was taken into custody in Idukki while travelling to an event and later handed over to Kochi police.

The arrest comes amid ongoing controversy surrounding Ranjith, whose name had appeared in the Justice Hema Committee Report over previous allegations of inappropriate behaviour in the Malayalam film industry. Earlier complaints included one by a Bengali actress in 2024 and another sexual assault allegation from Bengaluru. While Ranjith denied past claims and stepped down as chairman of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy receiving a clean chit in one case this new complaint has led to immediate police action.