**Kerala Opposition Demands Immediate Police Probe into Sexual Exploitation Allegations in Malayalam Film Industry**
Thiruvananthapuram: In a dramatic turn of events, the release of the Justice K Hema Committee Report on Monday has sent shockwaves through the Malayalam film industry. The report unveils a distressing reality for women working in the industry, highlighting pervasive sexual exploitation. Kerala’s Leader of Opposition, V.D. Satheesan, has lashed out at the Pinarayi Vijayan government for allegedly shelving the report since its submission in 2019.
Justice Hema (retd) presented the report after being appointed by the Vijayan government in 2017, with the state incurring a cost of Rs 1.50 crore. The delay in the release of the report, despite a protracted legal tussle and even attempts to postpone the release at the eleventh hour, has drawn severe criticism from political circles and industry observers.
“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 save those who did the exploitation? The need of the hour is a special police probe team headed by a top woman IPS official to bring all the wrong-doers to book, no matter their position,” V.D. Satheesan said vehemently.
Culture and Films Minister Saji Cherian, meanwhile, has claimed he has not received any complaints of exploitation during his three-year tenure. “A report has been published, and it speaks of such things, but I am ready to order a probe if there is any complaint. I wish to inform all that no one needs to be worried, and any woman coming with a complaint will face no duress,” Cherian assured.
The report, spanning 289 pages, begins with a cautionary note: “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’.”
Shocking testimonials from women in cinema detail experiences so harrowing that many have not even shared them with their closest family members. The committee discovered that some men, including prominent artists, suffered unauthorized bans from the industry for petty grievances, ranging from unknowingly offending powerful individuals in the industry’s influential lobby to personal vendettas.
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“The major issue women face in the film industry is sexual harassment. It is the worst evil that women in cinema face. Most bold women in cinema are still reluctant to divulge their bad experiences, particularly of sexual harassment. They fear the consequences—including being banned from the industry and severe online harassment through fan clubs and social media,” the report states.
One witness revealed that harassment begins as soon as one seeks a role, with many women being asked to make ‘adjustments’ and ‘compromises’—euphemistic terms for agreeing to sexual demands. Though consensual sex might occur, women generally resist sharing a bed for career advancement, making the industry’s demands particularly egregious.
Certain female witnesses recounted instances where mothers connived with industry demands, viewing such circumstances as acceptable. This normalization exacerbates the existing dire conditions. “It is a shocking reality, according to women in cinema, that a woman has to surrender to sexual demands to secure a role, whereas no such conditions exist in other fields,” noted one witness.
Minister Saji Cherian announced the plan to hold a conclave within the next few months, inviting key industry figures to discuss and address the burning issues highlighted by the report. “All leading lights of the film industry from various segments will be invited for a comprehensive discussion to address all the burning issues,” Cherian added.
The harrowing experiences shared by women reveal that sexual exploitation starts early. Witnesses testified that production controllers or those offering roles initiate these demands, revealing a systemic issue deeply embedded in the industry’s fabric.
Witnesses have even indicated that the ramifications stretch beyond personal harassment to threats against family members, leading to an enforced silence among women in cinema. By leveraging fan clubs and online platforms, powerful individuals in the industry mount campaigns of severe harassment against women who dare to speak out.
Despite some mothers and women adjusting to these alarming demands, most lament the unique nature of film industry exploitation compared to other professional fields. The report urges immediate intervention to create a safer, harassment-free environment for all in the Malayalam film industry.
With the spotlight now firmly on the Vijayan government and the Malayalam film industry, there are rising calls for swift and decisive action to ameliorate the situation, ensuring that justice is served, and perpetrators are held accountable. The coming months will be crucial in determining if the promises made by political and industry leaders will translate into effective changes, ensuring a safer working environment for women in Malayalam cinema.
