The Justice Hema Committee report on the Malayalam film industry has recently released shocking details about sexual exploitation of women in the industry. The report highlighted the fact that women often have to provide sexual favors in order to secure opportunities in the industry. This reveals a disturbing aspect of the industry that has long been hidden from the public eye.
The report itself was compiled by a committee consisting of Justice Hema, T Sharada, and KB Valsala Kumari, and has brought to light many of the issues faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. The government released the report after redacting 63 pages from the original 295-page report. It noted that the actress assault case in 2017 was not the only incident of its kind in the industry, but it was the only one that was reported.
The sexual assault on a Malayalam actress in a moving vehicle led to the formation of the committee. The report highlighted the prevalence of sexual exploitation within the industry, with women being pressured to make “adjustments” and “compromises” in exchange for opportunities. Many women in the industry have reported feeling unsafe in their accommodations and being subjected to unwanted advances from men working in cinema.
Additionally, the report shed light on the issue of public threats and defamation faced by male and female artists in the industry. Many artists are subjected to trolling and harassment on social media platforms, with vulgar comments and images being posted to ridicule and humiliate them. The report also highlighted a power group within the industry that controls the Malayalam film industry and prevents certain individuals from working in cinema.
The Hema Committee was formed in response to the 2017 sexual assault case involving an actor and submitted its report to the Chief Minister at the end of 2019. The report has sparked a conversation about the need for stronger measures to protect women working in the Malayalam film industry and to hold perpetrators of sexual exploitation and harassment accountable. It is crucial for the government and industry stakeholders to take action to address these issues and ensure a safer and more equitable working environment for all individuals in the industry.
