Actor Arjun Sarja files Rs 5 cr defamation suit against Sruthi Hariharan after #MeToo allegations

Kannada actor Arjun Sarja has filed a Rs 5 crore defamation suit against colleague and actress Sruthi Hariharan, a week after she accused him of sexual harassment.

The case has been filed at the Bengaluru City Civil Court by his actor-nephew Dhruva Sarja, according to a report in The News Minute.

This move comes hours after Sarja's manager reportedly filed a complaint with the cyber crime police stating that the actor’s email and social media accounts had been hacked.


Also Read: #MeToo In India - Complete Coverage

Hariharan has been one of the voices to come out since the #MeToo movement gained momentum in the South Indian film industry. In a Facebook post on October 19, the 29-year-old 'Nibunan' actress said that Sarja made her feel uncomfortable on the set of their film. Detailing her ordeal with the actor, she said that during the rehearsal for a scene, he ran his 'hands intimately up and down' her back and pulled her close without her consent.


While Hariharan has received support from some sections of the film industry, a few others have questioned her timing and intent.

Following the backlash, Hariharan, on Thursday, shared a statement on Facebook saying that no one had "made" her come out.


Earlier on October 21, Sarja had denied the allegations, saying he was 'saddened' by them.

The film's director, Arun Vaidyanathan had also supported Sarja and said that he was shocked by the allegations. Hariharan had received support from two anonymous crew members .

The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, that does not have an Internal Complaints Committee, had offered to intervene and “resolve” the issue.