Netizens slam Pa Ranjith for posing with sexual harassment-accused John Vijay; Fans speculate it might be for 'Sarpatta Parambarai' sequel

Director Pa Ranjith, widely celebrated for his bold cinematic narratives and unapologetic political commentary, has found himself at the centre of an online storm. Known for integrating activism into his storytelling, Ranjith is now facing backlash after being seen alongside actor John Vijay, who has previously been accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women.
The issue gained traction after Chidambaram MP Thol Thirumavalavan posted a photo on X (formerly Twitter), capturing a moment at Tiruchirappalli International Airport. In the selfie, Thirumavalavan is joined by Ranjith, and actors Arya, Harish Uthaman, and John Vijay. The image did not go unnoticed by netizens, many of whom were quick to express dismay over Ranjith’s association with Vijay.

One user wrote, “Pa Ranjith, hope you reconsider associating with #MeToo-accused John Vijay, a repeat offender with a troubling past. I won’t name anyone, but it’s disheartening to hear that those close to him, including his wife, seem aware of his actions yet remain unresponsive to the allegations.”
Another added, “You can’t claim to fight for the oppressed and still work with a sexual abuser. If you collaborate with a MeToo-accused individual, your activism starts to feel like performance, not principle.”
Several voices echoed similar concerns. A social media user questioned, “Why is Beemji (Ranjith’s X username) still associating with and giving opportunities to sexual abusers like John Vijay?”
At the same time, some speculated that the gathering could be linked to the upcoming sequel of Sarpatta Parambarai (2021), in which Arya played the lead role. John Vijay was also part of the original film, and his presence, along with Harish Uthaman, has sparked speculation that casting for the sequel might be underway. While Arya and the film’s team have previously indicated that a second instalment is in development, the recent viral photograph has not been officially confirmed to be connected to the project. Notably, John Vijay also collaborated with Ranjith earlier in the 2016 Rajinikanth-starrer Kabali.
In 2024, singer and voice-over artist Chinmayi Sripada shared screenshots of anonymous testimonies she received, alleging that John Vijay had made women uncomfortable by ogling and exhibiting inappropriate behaviour in social spaces such as workplaces, bars, and restaurants.

During the height of the #MeToo movement in 2018, similar accusations surfaced against the actor through Chinmayi’s platform. In response, Vijay released a statement insisting that he did not act with malicious intent and reiterated his support for the movement.
In an earlier conversation with Firstpost, John Vijay explained that he speaks openly without ill intent but admitted that his jokes might come across as insensitive. He added that when he realises someone is uncomfortable or not on the same page, he chooses to step away from the situation.
Ranjith’s most recent film was Thangalaan, starring Chiyaan Vikram and Malavika Mohanan in lead roles.