Noted Malayalam film director Ranjith was taken into custody following a complaint filed by a woman actor, who alleged that he attempted to sexually assault her on a film set. Following his arrest, the director has been suspended from the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA). Meanwhile, the Women in Cinema Collective has reacted to the arrest, questioning industry power and lack of awareness.

WCC reacts to Ranjith’s arrest in sexual assault case

On Thursday, the Women in Cinema Collective reacted to the arrest and questioned the industry's power structures. “Yet another grave allegation by a young actress has shaken Kerala. This time, the accusation is against director Ranjith. It is deeply distressing to realise that despite High Court directives and the new cinema policy, very little has changed on the ground. Where does this audacity of perpetrators come from? From a system that simply does not function,” the statement read.