Filmmaker and poet Leena Manimekalai and director Susi Ganesan crossed swords on Tuesday after she accused the latter of sexual harassment, and Mr. Ganesan denied the charges hours later at a press conference.

Ms. Leena had initially spoken about the incident last year, when she alleged — without naming anyone — that a film director had offered to drop her home and had proceeded to lock the car doors and switch off her cell phone.

He had allegedly threatened her and asked her to come to his apartment, which she had refused. She said she used a pocket knife and threatened to harm herself.

She was then able to get out of the car.

Leena Manimekalai  

A few days back when the #MeToo movement was gaining momentum, the filmmaker named Mr. Ganesan and shared her story.

“I’ve spent years thinking if I had been at fault, feeling humiliated and violated. I’ve even questioned myself, but now it is important that all these questions should be asked to the offenders instead of the women blaming themselves,” she said.

“Several women chose to open up years after facing sexual harassment or misconduct without any redressal mechanisms to approach, and this is where the discourse should be heading,” she said, speaking to mediapersons.

Complaint filed

Denying the charges, Mr. Ganesan said that he had filed an online criminal complaint against Ms. Leena and said that he would be filing a defamation case against her.

“The whole incident is just being concocted by her for publicity. I do not have a luxury car and I generally choose not to drive and I am always accompanied by my assistants,” the director claimed.

Mr. Ganesan further said that he was approached by Ms. Leena for a chance to write lyrics for his films, which he had refused.

“A few months after the incident that she claims had happened, she even hosted a book launch that I was a part of and there were absolutely no concerns raised by her then,” Mr. Ganesan claimed.