The Malayalam film industry has by and large reacted cautiously to the release of the Hema Committee report on Monday. The report of the committee, headed by the former Kerala High Court Judge K. Hema, was conceived in the aftermath of the sexual assault of an actor in 2017. Although its release has been protracted due to legal challenges, the partial publication of the report has drawn a measured response from the industry.
Actor and general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), Siddique, commented shortly after the release, stressing his commitment to responding to the report’s findings after he had the opportunity to study it meticulously. At the time, he was occupied with travel and mentioned the necessity of in-depth review before making any comment. Yet, as the day progressed, Siddique did provide an initial reaction.
“We just know that the committee report has been released. However, we don’t know the details,” he said. “At this point, we have no idea how it would affect us and on what points we need to respond. All the actors are busy rehearsing for a show in Ernakulam and our focus right now is on that. We will come up with a response after studying the report in detail. We will discuss it with all stakeholders, including other industry organizations. We should respond only after studying the report as it deals with a very sensitive matter.”
Siddique emphasized the importance of caution in discussing the report, noting that any casual or uninformed comment could have severe consequences. “We should be cautious about even uttering a word about the report as any slip of tongue by me or my colleagues would be of grave consequence. We will study the report in detail and will definitely meet the media after that.”
When he was questioned about the specific instances of harassment and discrimination faced by women artists, including junior artists, as outlined in the report, Siddique acknowledged that corrective actions were necessary. However, he underscored the need to understand the specifics of each complaint, such as the type of discrimination, the identities of those involved, and the context in which incidents occurred.
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Addressing particularly disturbing revelations like women receiving knocks on their doors at odd hours, Siddique categorically stated that such actions were indefensible and branded them as criminal activities necessitating legal action. He assured that there would be an honest and transparent effort to address and rectify any mistakes noted in the report. “All film organizations will extend maximum cooperation to any potential action by the government,” he added.
Parallel to Siddique’s remarks, B. Rakesh, the Kerala Producers Association secretary, echoed the sentiment for more time to scrutinize the report. AMMA joint secretary and actor Baburaj also pointed out the voluminous nature of the report and the consequent need for a meticulous review. “Media has been showing only parts of it. Whatever needs to be done (based on the findings of the report) will have to be done to the maximum extent possible,” he mentioned.
Baburaj highlighted concerns about the inadequate dressing room facilities for women artists, referencing past practices where performers had to change behind makeshift screens of saris. He noted that the advent of mobile phones with cameras had exacerbated the sense of insecurity and called for immediate improvements in these areas. He requested a week’s time to study the report and promised to respond thereafter.
Actor-director Lal also weighed in on the situation, hoping that the issues underscored by the report would be addressed promptly. “Whatever issues being highlighted in the report need to be resolved. Hopefully, everything will be good,” he expressed.
The cautious reactions from the Malayalam film industry signify a collective acknowledgment of the gravity of the issues revealed in the Hema Committee report. While definitive stances and responses are pending a detailed review, the industry appears to be aligning towards a cooperative and reflective approach in addressing the systemic issues brought to light.
The partial publication of the Hema Committee report marks a pivotal moment for the Malayalam film industry. As stakeholders continue to deliberate over its findings, the hope is that the ensuing actions will foster a more equitable and respectful working environment for all members of the industry, particularly women artists who have long endured harassment and discrimination.
