Filmmaker Sanal Kumar Sasidharan booked for harassing actress on social media

Malayalam filmmaker Sanal Kumar Sasidharan has been booked on charges of harassing a prominent actress on a social media platform, police confirmed on Tuesday. The Elamakkara Police registered a case against the Kayam director under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), citing alleged stalking, criminal intimidation, and defamation.

According to Mathrubhumi, the actress filed a complaint on Monday, leading to the registration of the case. Notably, Sasidharan, in a recent Facebook post, alleged that the lives of the actress and her daughter were in danger. Adding to the controversy, he also shared a copy of the FIR against him on his social media, claiming that a third party had filed the complaint using the actress’s name.

This is not the first time the filmmaker has faced legal trouble related to the actress. In May 2022, Sasidharan was arrested based on her complaint for allegedly blackmailing her and tarnishing her reputation through social media. He was later released on bail.
Recently, Sanal Kumar Sasidharan announced via his social media handle that the Manju Warrier starrer ‘Kayattam’ will be released online for free, and he also claimed that there were efforts from some parties to stop the theatrical release of ‘Kayattam.’. In the video he said, “I completed ‘Kayattam’ in 2019, a film that has earned several awards both nationally and internationally. Despite this, I haven’t been able to bring it to the audience. Whenever I tried reaching out to Manju Warrier, I sensed that external forces were interfering and preventing her from collaborating. The magistrate court granted me bail, recognizing the charges as baseless. However, after my release, I came to realize that my life was in danger and that someone was intent on preventing me from continuing my filmmaking career.I have decided to release ‘Kayattam’ online for free, with the link made available across various social media platforms. This marks the second time I’ve taken such a bold step, as I previously released Vazhakku under similar circumstances. While I am prepared to face criticism, I sincerely urge audiences to watch the film with an open mind and without prejudice."