Malayalam filmmaker Sanal Kumar Sasidharan, already out on bail in a sexual harassment case, has been booked in another similar case filed by actor Manju Warrier. The Kochi police registered the latest case based on Manju's complaint, marking the second time she has accused Sasidharan of harassment. She said that he has been harassing the actor over social media. In multiple posts, Sanal has been saying that the life of Manju is under threat, creating a false alarm.
As the filmmaker is presently residing in the USA, the police are reportedly taking steps to extradite him. In this regard, they have already reached out to the Indian Embassy.
Sasidharan who is out on bail was arrested in May 2022, based on the complaint of Warrier. The actor complained that she was being threatened and stalked by him for a while.
The 47-year-old filmmaker began his film career in 2000 and the next year he made his first short film using crowdfunding. In 2014, he produced his first feature-length movie Oraalppokkam. The film also won the award for the best Malayalam film in the International Film Festival of Kerala 2014 besides the Kerala State Film Award for Best Director in 2014. His film Kayyattam in 2020 starred Manju Warrier and was shot on an iPhone in the Himalayas and also won acclaim.
(With IANS inputs)