Two weeks after the K Hema Committee report sent shockwaves across several Indian film industries, artistes from the Kannada film industry (KFI) have responded by reigniting the conversation on sexual harassment. Following actor Sruthi Hariharan’s demand for a committee in Sandalwood resembling the Hema Committee, members of Film Industry For Rights and Equality (FIRE) have urged the Karnataka government to establish a similar panel led by a retired judge. Their aim is to address and report on various issues faced by women, specifically focusing on sexual harassment within the industry.
The origins of FIRE trace back to the #MeToo movement in 2018, when Sruthi Hariharan accused actor Arjun Sarja of sexual misconduct. FIRE, a not-for-profit organization governed under the Societies Act, was formed to tackle issues like sexual harassment and the casting couch culture in the Kannada film industry. The organization is helmed by filmmaker Kavita Lankesh, who serves as the president of the panel, and actor Chetan Ahimsa, who functions as the secretary.
On Wednesday, September 04, 2024, FIRE officially submitted a letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, stressing the urgency for “comprehensive measures needed to create a safe and equitable working environment for all women in the industry.” The letter was backed by a 153-member panel that includes prominent names such as actors Sudeep, Ramya, Kishore, Vinay Rajkumar, Sruthi Hariharan, Shraddha Srinath, Pooja Gandhi, Aindrita Ray, Diganth Manchale, Chaitra J Achar, Samyukta Hegde, and filmmakers B Suresha, Mansore, Jayatheertha, K M Chaitanya, and Pawan Kumar.
“Women have faced harassment in the film industry from time immemorial,” noted Kavitha Lankesh. “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 added.
In a disheartening turn of events, three years after Sruthi’s complaint against Arjun Sarja, the police closed the investigation citing a ‘lack of evidence.’ This incident highlights a repeated pattern where women’s complaints have been stifled by industry bigwigs. “Women have complained in the past, but industry bigwigs have quietened them down. Some female artistes get into legal battles that get dragged for ages, and their careers take a hit,” said Kavitha.
FIRE has called for a “thorough investigation into the systematic issues faced by women in KFI, including sexual harassment.” The body also stressed the necessity for the “development of policies to ensure a healthy and equitable work environment for women in the industry.”
The letter sent to the Chief Minister suggested the appointment of a retired judge from the High Court or Supreme Court, one who has “demonstrated a strong commitment to gender justice” throughout their career, to head the proposed committee.
. FIRE is pushing for immediate government action to address the myriad issues women face in the film industry.
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The Hema Committee report has triggered a ripple effect, raising awareness across various Indian film industries. The Malayalam film industry has been particularly shaken by numerous allegations of sexual harassment from several women. Artistes from Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi film industries have also weighed in on the controversy, underscoring the desperate need for a safer work environment for female artistes. Cinematographer Preetha Jayaraman, who primarily works in the Kannada film industry, spoke candidly about the misuse of power by people in high positions.
“Even though I have always worked in a professional film set with all basic needs for women being met, one can’t deny the big harassment factor when it comes to actresses and junior artistes,” said Preetha, who is also a member of FIRE. “Most of them in the industry know how production executives treat actresses and where the mistakes happen. People in positions of power exploit those daily wage laborers in the film industry. We must have zero tolerance towards unfair expectations from women,” she opined.
Author and screenwriter Sandhya Rani highlighted 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 remarked.
“Women in the film industry are vulnerable because a film set doesn’t function with fixed timing and guidelines. Men in strong positions make rules that work in their favor even if they cross the line. That’s why you see those accused continuing to receive work while those who question them get sidelined by the industry,” added Sandhya.
Kavitha emphasized the importance of treating everyone equally on a film set. “I have heard stories of women being asked to work long hours even during their periods. How you treat women and junior artistes defines how safe your film set is,” she concluded.
