Thiruvananthapuram: Hours after the long-awaited and damning Justice K Hema Committee Report on the conditions of women in the Malayalam film industry was released, Kerala’s Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan lambasted the Pinarayi Vijayan government for keeping the report under wraps since 2019. The report unveils appalling instances of sexual exploitation faced by women in the film industry, creating a firestorm of demands for justice and accountability.
The Justice Hema Committee, headed by retired Justice K Hema, was commissioned by the Vijayan government in 2017, and it took two years and Rs 1.50 crore from the state government budget to complete. Despite being ready in 2019, the report was only made public after a protracted legal battle, with critics alleging deliberate attempts to stall its release until the very last moment.
V.D. Satheesan was vocal in his condemnation, questioning the motives behind the delay. “This is a grave crime done by the Vijayan government, and we wish to know why this report was kept in cold storage. Was it to protect those who perpetrated these heinous acts? Now, more than ever, we need a special police probe team led by a top woman IPS official to bring the culprits to justice, no matter their status or position,” he said.
State Culture and Films Minister Saji Cherian, who was not in office when the report was compiled, stated that no complaints had been submitted to him during his tenure. “I have been the Minister for over three years, and no exploitation complaints have reached my desk. Now that the report is public and highlights these serious allegations, I am prepared to launch an inquiry if any complaints are filed. I assure everyone that complainants will face no pressure or repercussions,” asserted Cherian.
Looking to address the broader issues highlighted in the report, Cherian added that a conclave would be organized in the coming months, inviting leading figures from all segments of the film industry for comprehensive discussions. “Every burning issue will be addressed,” he reiterated.
The opening lines of the Hema Committee’s 289-page report set a tone of caution and introspection: “The sky is full of mysteries; with the twinkling stars and the beautiful moon. But, scientific investigation revealed that stars do not twinkle nor does the moon look beautiful. The study, therefore, cautions: ‘Do not trust what you see, even salt looks like sugar’.
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The committee gathered shocking testimonials from several women, detailing their harrowing experiences in the industry. These women reportedly kept silent even among their closest family members due to the gravity of their ordeals. Astonishingly, the report also revealed that some men had suffered significant professional setbacks, often being unauthorizedly banned from working in cinema for trivial reasons. The root cause, according to the report, was frequently the influential lobbies that govern the industry.
The investigation pinpointed sexual harassment as the most pressing and widespread issue women face in cinema. Despite their often-bold public personas, many women are reluctant to disclose incidents of sexual harassment. They fear that if they bring these issues to light, they will face professional ostracism, online harassment, and even threats to their lives and the lives of their family members.
The report noted, “Women in cinema fear disclosing their experiences to anyone, including colleagues, because of possible severe repercussions. Men in the industry often stand by the perpetrators, and fan clubs can exert substantial online harassment. This is a tactic to silence women in cinema.”
The exploitation, as clarified by witnesses, begins at the initial stages of a woman’s career in cinema. Many women detailed how those offering roles would demand ‘adjustments’ and ‘compromise,’ euphemisms for sexual favors. These demands, they revealed, are ingrained in the industry’s culture.
Interestingly, the committee also found instances where certain women, and even their mothers, would acquiesce to these demands. However, many witnesses emphasized the sadness and desperation such adjustments signify, highlighting that no other field demands such compromises for employment.
Kerala’s public and the broader Indian film fraternity grapple with the implications of the Hema Committee report. There is now an intense call for systemic change and stricter scrutiny of exploitative practices. The testimonies within the report shed light on a pervasive, yet often overlooked issue, demanding urgent corrective measures and heightened protection for women in the Malayalam cinema industry.
As Kerala stares at these revelations, the government’s next steps remain closely watched. The push for an investigation and the pledge for an industry-wide conclave suggest a move towards addressing these deep-seated issues. However, whether these measures will result in tangible changes remains to be seen.
