The story so far:
On August 19, the Hema Committee report addressing numerous issues in the Malayalam film industry, particularly those affecting women, was released to the public, ending nearly five years of secrecy after it was originally submitted to the Kerala government. The report, with names of witnesses and the accused redacted, has sent shockwaves through the industry. It reveals widespread sexual exploitation, covert illegal bans, lack of written contracts, harsh working conditions for junior artists and crew, the absence of basic amenities on film sets for women, and a host of other serious issues.
The chain of events leading to the report began on the night of February 17, 2017, when a prominent woman actor was abducted and sexually assaulted by a group of men inside a moving vehicle in Kochi, the hub of the Malayalam film industry. The survivor filed a case the next day. This incident ignited a wave of outrage, challenging entrenched power structures within Malayalam cinema and leading to the formation of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), an organization comprising several of the industry’s most renowned women actors and technicians.
Responding to demands from WCC members, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan appointed a committee headed by K. Hema, a retired judge of the Kerala High Court, to investigate issues of sexual harassment and gender inequality in the industry. The committee also included former bureaucrat K.B. Valsala Kumari and actor T. Sarada.
Submitted on December 31, 2019, to the Kerala government, the Hema Committee report remained hidden from the public eye, fueling intense speculation about its contents. The Women’s Collective, along with various other stakeholders, consistently called for the release of the document. Despite these demands, the Department of Cultural Affairs withheld the report, citing the privacy of witnesses as a reason for rejecting Right to Information (RTI) applications.
On July 6, the State Information Commission ordered the Department of Cultural Affairs to publish the redacted report by July 25. However, the government delayed the release under pressure from multiple parties, including a producer and one of the witnesses, who approached the Kerala High Court citing privacy concerns. Ultimately, the High Court dismissed the objections, and the report was made public.
Rumors about the so-called “casting couch”—a practice where aspiring actors are pressured into providing sexual favors in exchange for roles—have long swirled around the industry. The report, accessed by The Hindu through an RTI request, confirms the prevalence of this exploitative practice, supported by in-camera testimonials from several witnesses interviewed by the committee. Witnesses supplied the committee with various types of evidence, including audio clips, video clips, and WhatsApp screenshots.
Moreover, the report casts light on what some witnesses described as a male-controlled “mafia” dominating the industry, effectively wielding power to ostracize those who challenge the status quo. Women within the industry recounted alarming incidents such as men banging on their doors at night, attempting to forcibly enter their rooms, and being coerced into working alongside their abusers.
. These women frequently expressed fears of reporting the incidents to the police or even to their families, worrying about repercussions like being blacklisted from the industry or subjected to cyberattacks.
The report highlights the harsh reality for many junior artists, who often endure long working hours for scant pay, in conditions lacking essential amenities like changing rooms and toilets. This has led to health issues such as urinary infections. The committee equates their working conditions to modern-day slavery.
A day after the Hema Committee report was released, further controversies emerged. AMMA, the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, denied the existence of any “power group” within the industry, but opposition leaders, like V.D. Satheesan, demanded the resignation of Ranjith, the chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy and a prominent figure in the industry.
Comparison with other South Indian film industries, such as Tamil and Telugu cinemas, sheds additional light on the issue. The Malayalam industry, known for operating on relatively lower budgets despite its growing markets, produces around 200 films annually. The Hema Committee’s key recommendations advocate for the enactment of a new statute and the establishment of a tribunal to handle the issues women face in the industry. The committee also posits that an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) could be compromised by powerful figures, who might coerce ICC members into biased decision-making.
The report also emphasizes the underrepresentation of women in technical roles within the industry. For example, at the K.R. Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts, a film institute under the Kerala Department of Higher Education, only two out of the 44 students in the technical departments during the committee’s study period were women. The committee recommends instituting reservations and scholarships for women in film schools.
Legal experts deem the report’s findings substantial enough for the government to initiate a special investigation. Opposition parties have demanded an inquiry team composed entirely of senior female police officers. Chief Minister Vijayan has stated that the government would take immediate action if any of those who testified before the committee came forward with specific complaints.
The Kerala High Court has directed the government to submit the complete committee report in a sealed cover and to articulate its stance on possible actions. The case is set for another hearing on September 10.
Although the release of the redacted report is perceived as a partial victory by the WCC, it has successfully brought critical issues to the forefront, potentially leading to systemic changes within an industry now receiving national attention for its quality cinema.
