Table of Contents
The long-awaited Hema Committee report began with a poetic observation, “The sky is full of mysteries, with the twinkling stars and the beautiful moon. But scientific investigation revealed that the stars do not twinkle, nor does the moon look beautiful.” The report metaphorically unveiled the dark realities within the Malayalam film industry. The report highlighted the safety and well-being of female professionals in the film industry.
Released on August 19, five years after its submission to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the report sheds light on the persistent sexual harassment faced by women in Malayalam cinema industry, with several stating that they were subjected to unsolicited advances before starting a project.
Related News |
Actor Siddique RESIGNS From Malayalam Cinema Association After Sexual Assault Allegation
How It All Began?
The Hema Committee, headed by former High Court judge K Hema, was created in the aftermath of the sexual assault of a female actor which took place in a moving car in Kochi, Kerala in 2017. The female actor was kidnapped by five men, who brutally filmed the assault and dropped her off. The actor later filed a police complaint. Although the Committee submitted an inquiry report to the Kerala government in 2018, it wasn't published.
Earlier this year, the State Information Commission (SIC) ordered it to be released to RTI applicants. It was done so, after taking down names and identifying details of survivors.
What Was The Hema Committee Report About?
As per the report, it is said that female actors faced harassment, including instances where they felt unsafe in their accommodation. Their doors were knocked on by intoxicated individuals who work in the film industry. Many of them, suffered sexual harassment and were reluctant to complain about this to the police fearing consequences.
The women actors who are ready to compromise are given code names. As per the report, those who reject advances are pushed out of the field.
The Malayalam woman actor sexual assault case gave rise to the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC). The group consisted of 10 women who came together to create a safer and more equitable working environment for women in the industry.
Sexual Harassment Claims
Amid sexual harassment allegations against various personalities from the Malayalam film industry, the Kerala Government has decided to form a special investigation team comprising senior women police officers under the leadership of IG Sparjan Kumar to investigate the allegations and complaints.
Some women had publicly named Siddique and Edavela Babu, former general secretaries of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), filmmaker Ranjith, and actors Mukesh, Sudheesh, and Riyas Khan for sexually harassing or misbehaving with them.
“Some women working in the field of cinema have come out with interviews and statements describing the ordeals they had to face in the said field. In this matter Chief Minister called a meeting of top police officials today (25.08.2024)”, a statement from CMO read.
Earlier on Sunday, August 25, Malayalam filmmaker Ranjith resigned as the chairman of Kerala Chalachitra Academy following allegations of misbehaviour levelled against him by a Bengali actor. The Bengali actress recently alleged that the filmmaker had behaved in an inappropriate manner when she came up for the shooting of a film that he had helmed in 2009. The filmmaker has rejected the actor’s charge and claimed that he was the “real victim” in the case.
Noted actor Siddique on Sunday resigned as the general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (A.M.M.A.) following sexual assault allegations raised by a woman actor on August 24. Talking to a television channel, the senior actor said he had sent his resignation letter to the President of the organisation, Mohanlal.