The Justice Hema Committee report, released on August 19, exposes the severe sexual harassment faced by female actors in the Malayalam cinema industry. The report details widespread and systemic abuse, with many women alleging unwanted advances even before they begin work.
The much-anticipated report, which was finally disclosed to the media under the RTI Act after a five-year delay, unveils disturbing accounts of harassment and exploitation. It describes how female actors often encounter harassment, including instances where intoxicated individuals knock on their room doors. The report highlights that many victims of sexual harassment refrain from reporting incidents to the police due to fear of retaliation.
According to the report, which was compiled by the government-appointed panel in 2019, harassment starts from the recruitment stage, where aspiring actresses are pressured to make “adjustments” and “compromises” to secure roles. Women who resist such demands are reportedly pushed out of the industry. The committee noted that sexual harassment is deeply embedded in the industry’s culture, with many women fearing they will be banned or face other forms of harassment if they speak out.
The report also criticizes the industry’s lack of formal grievance redressal mechanisms and the prevalence of a “criminal gang” controlling its operations. It calls for the registration of FIRs against the crimes occurring within the industry and highlights the reluctance of victims to come forward due to threats and the fear of career repercussions.
Women who testified described a pervasive culture of silence, enforced by the industry’s power dynamics and a lack of legal contracts. Many women have faced harassment from influential figures, including actors, producers, and directors. The report underscores the importance of formal mechanisms to address grievances and protect victims.
The report further reveals that the Malayalam film industry operates as a “male-dominated” environment where women are often forced to take their parents or close relatives to work for safety. It describes instances where women have been harassed by intoxicated men and forced into compromising situations, emphasizing the urgent need for structural changes.
The Justice Hema Committee, formed by the Kerala Government in 2017 following a petition from the Women in Cinema Collective, submitted its findings in December 2019. The report’s release comes after a prolonged delay, following a July 6 order by the State Information Commission mandating its disclosure under the RTI Act.
