Two weeks after the explosive revelations from the K Hema Committee report that sent shockwaves across multiple Indian film industries, the Kannada film industry (KFI) has begun taking decisive steps in response. Leading the charge is actor Sruthi Hariharan, who has consistently advocated for accountability and safety within the industry. Inspired by the Hema Committee’s findings, Hariharan is now urging the creation of a similar panel in Sandalwood. Her call to action has been endorsed by members of the Film Industry For Rights and Equality (FIRE), who are pressing the Karnataka government to establish a dedicated committee headed by a retired judge to investigate and report on the various challenges faced by women—including sexual harassment.
The Hema Committee report has laid bare the scale and severity of harassment issues, presenting a clarion call for actors, filmmakers, and other stakeholders to demand institutional reform. In this context, FIRE, which was formed during the #MeToo movement in 2018 following Sruthi’s allegations against actor Arjun Sarja, has been at the forefront of these efforts. As a not-for-profit organization registered under the Societies Act, FIRE aims to address sexual misconduct and the casting couch phenomenon in the film industry. Filmmaker Kavita Lankesh serves as the president of this body, with actor Chetan Ahimsa holding the position of secretary.
On September 04, 2024, FIRE formally submitted a letter to Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The letter demanded the implementation of wide-ranging measures to create a safe and equitable work environment for all women in the film industry. This 153-member panel includes prominent figures such as actors Sudeep, Ramya, Kishore, Vinay Rajkumar, Sruthi Hariharan herself, Shraddha Srinath, Pooja Gandhi, Aindrita Ray, Diganth Manchale, Chaitra J Achar, Samyukta Hegde, alongside filmmakers B Suresha, Mansore, Jayatheertha, K M Chaitanya, and Pawan Kumar.
Kavita Lankesh articulated the enduring nature of the problem in stark terms: “Women have faced harassment in the film industry from time immemorial. Those who were not cooperative to the whims and fancies of influential people were thrown out of the industry. Women who question injustice face the danger of losing opportunities. That’s what happened with Sruthi as well.” She underscored the issue by referring to how the police closed Sruthi’s harassment complaint against Arjun Sarja three years ago, citing a lack of evidence. “Women have complained in the past, but industry bigwigs have quieted them down. Some female artistes get into legal battles that drag on for ages, impacting their careers significantly,” she lamented.
The FIRE body is advocating for a thorough investigation into the systemic issues plaguing women in KFI, especially focusing on sexual harassment. Additionally, they are pushing for the formulation of policies to ensure a healthier and fairer working environment for women.
. In their letter, they proposed appointing a retired judge from the High Court or Supreme Court with a stellar track record in gender justice to lead the committee. FIRE has urged the government to act swiftly to address these pervasive issues.
The necessity of a safe working environment has been echoed across various film industries in India. The Malayalam film industry, for instance, has been rocked by numerous allegations of sexual harassment. Actors and filmmakers from Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi film sectors have also voiced their concerns, advocating for safer workspaces for female artistes. Cinematographer Preetha Jayaraman, a member of FIRE with significant experience in the Kannada film industry, highlighted the misuse of power by influential people on professional film sets. “Even though I have always worked in a professional film set with the availability of all basic needs for women, one can’t deny the fact that there is a big harassment factor when it comes to actresses and junior artistes,” she noted.
Jayaraman pointed out the exploitation by production executives who mistreat actresses and other daily wage laborers in the film industry. “There must be zero tolerance towards unfair expectations from women,” she insisted.
Author and screenwriter Sandhya Rani pointed out that the harassment faced by women in the film industry was an open secret. “It was the elephant in the room. Only after the Hema Committee report has there been an open discussion on the problem,” she said. She also emphasized the vulnerability of women due to the lack of fixed timings and guidelines on movie sets. “Men in strong positions make rules that work in their favor even if those rules cross ethical lines. That’s why you see those accused continuing to receive work while those who question them get sidelined by the industry,” she elaborated.
Kavita Lankesh concluded by stressing the importance of equal treatment on film sets, sharing how the handling of women and junior artistes often served as a litmus test for the safety of the environment. “I have heard stories of women asked to work for long hours even during their periods. How you treat women and junior artistes defines how safe your film set is,” she remarked.
The call to action is clear: there needs to be immediate and systemic change to ensure the safety and equity of all women working in the film industry.
