The recent revelations about the sexual exploitation of women in the Malayalam film industry have shocked many, but they are also an alarming reflection of a larger societal issue. Some fans and social media users have shown reactions that spring from a deeply entrenched mindset that both trivializes the suffering of the victims and exonerates the powerful men involved. Tragically, these so-called ‘moralists’ on social media operate with the same narrow-minded rigidity as tyrannical governments and patriarchal societies. They attempt to fit every person into a pre-determined role, denying individuals their unique identities and humanity.
This problematic mindset is what emboldens certain actresses to courageously speak out against their abusers, often at great personal and professional risk. It is also the reason why these women are frequently dismissed, demeaned, and blamed for their own victimization. This disturbing tendency to view women as mere sex objects, a commodity for the gratification of powerful men, intertwines with the despicable trend of victim-shaming on social media. Here, in the court of public opinion, entitled men can do no wrong while women are somehow held accountable for their own trauma.
This toxic culture isn’t limited to anonymous social media trolls. Revered individuals like award-winning actress Sarada have perpetuated such harmful notions. Sarada, who is one of the three women members of the Justice Hema Committee, commented, “Today there is a lot of influence of Western culture on our society. Everybody mingles with each other quite openly.” Her remarks subtly suggest that the abuse women face is a consequence of their own openness and integration, which is deeply offensive and misguided.
Equally repugnant are the parts of the committee’s report that draw a distinction between ‘girls’ and ‘women,’ implying that younger females are more susceptible to predatory advances. The report explicitly mentions, “The girls who are called for work would be given a chance in cinema if they comply with the demands for sex.” This indicates that paedophiles, too, are lurking within the industry.
Veteran actresses have unveiled harrowing tales of abuse, including being raped in moving vehicles by hired thugs. Unfortunately, their visibility and fame offer them some semblance of a voice, unlike those lower down the ladder.
. For junior artistes, the reality is even more grim. “Junior artistes are treated worse than slaves,” notes the committee’s 290-page report, which paints a grim picture of the industry’s underbelly.
The ‘Me-Too’ movement, while powerful, often fails to capture the sheer horror of these crimes. Instead of the sanitized term, it’s critical to call out the worst of these actions for what they are: rape. One particularly shocking revelation is that a leading actor outsourced the horrific crime to others, remaining untouched by the justice system and continuing his work as if nothing happened, while the victim is left to grapple with lifelong trauma.
Despite these atrocities, the Malayalam film industry is known for producing some of the most intellectually stimulating and finely-crafted movies in the country. Films like Aatam, which won the national award for best film and deals with the ambiguity surrounding a woman’s alleged molestation, demonstrate the industry’s capacity to handle delicate subjects with finesse. However, these commendable works do little to mitigate the ugly realities behind the scenes.
Insiders within the industry confirm that the ‘lobby’ and ‘mafia’ mentioned by the actresses in the report are real and identifiable. As cases are being filed, it’s expected that more individuals involved in these acts will be exposed. However, there is a lingering sense of unease because such heinous crimes often receive a certain degree of political protection, whether in Kerala, Bengal, or Uttar Pradesh. This political shield feeds the perpetrators’ sense of impunity, allowing them to believe they are untouchable. Just as some businessmen are treated as ‘more equal than others,’ some rapists and sexual predators in the acting world enjoy similar, nauseating privileges.
The Hema Committee’s recommendations may seem inadequate, but their efforts have brought genuine issues to light. By converting whispers and rumors into official complaints, the committee has laid bare the shocking truths that were previously relegated to the realm of gossip. While criminals deserve to face severe punishment, the question remains: will justice ever truly be served in such a convoluted and protected environment?
This distressing pattern of exploitation, victim-shaming, and impunity must be addressed holistically, not just within the confines of the Malayalam film industry, but throughout society. Only then can we hope to dismantle the systems that perpetuate these horrors.
