Thiruvanthapuram: The newly-released Hema Commission report has exposed shocking details about the Malayalam film industry. According to the report, the casting couch remains a significant issue in the Malayalam film industry, leading to the exploitation of women. Many women report that sexual favours are often demanded in exchange for job opportunities, creating a dangerous and unequal environment. As per the report, the issue of casting couch persists in the film industry and all that lustre it projects is only a facade. Several actors gave statements that they were asked to make compromises for opportunities in movies. The report further states that Malayalam cinema is run by criminals and there is widespread sexual exploitation in the industry. As per the report, it's the directors and producers who force female actors to make compromises. Those who agree to such demands are labelled as 'cooperating artists'.
"Was shocked to hear accounts of sexual abuse, harassment faced by victims in Malayalam film industry," the report which was released after a five-year-long wait stated. The abridged version of the report comprising 233 pages was released shortly after 2.30 pm on Monday.
“Women in cinema frequently feel unsafe going to work alone. Numerous testimonies reveal that sexual demands are commonly tied to employment opportunities, making it vastly different from other professions. In fields like teaching, medicine, or engineering, women are not subjected to such conditions. For these jobs, demonstrating one’s skills and passing an interview is usually enough to secure employment. However, in the film industry, the casting couch remains a troubling reality,” the report observed.
Bringing parents to work for safety
Many women working in cinema often bring their parents or close relatives to work out of fear of sexual demands and harassment. These women worry about their safety, both at work and in the accommodations arranged for them. Disturbingly, reports have surfaced of men from the industry, often intoxicated, persistently knocking on hotel doors where female artists are staying, causing great distress.
The harassment doesn’t end with simple knocks on the door; in some cases, men have tried to force their way into the rooms. This has led many women to avoid staying alone and to rely on the presence of family members for protection, fearing for their safety at the workplace. According to the report, many actors repeatedly expressed concerns about the undue importance given to sex in cinema, making the workplace unsafe for them to navigate alone.
Despite the prevalence of sexual harassment and abuse in the film industry, women are often reluctant to report these crimes to the police. Though the offences clearly fall under the Indian Penal Code and the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act), women in cinema fear the repercussions of making a formal complaint.
Women hesitant to file police complaint
When asked why women don’t seek police assistance, one actor noted that reporting such incidents could have severe consequences for the victim. The stigma and embarrassment surrounding sexual harassment, particularly for public figures, often prevent women from speaking out. Fear of cyberattacks and public ridicule further discourages victims from coming forward. Many people fail to realise the immense pressure on women in the film industry, which makes reporting sexual misconduct even more challenging.
Many witnesses have testified that women who go to the police to report harassment face significant consequences. The fear of retaliation and further harassment often deters victims from pursuing justice, leaving many incidents unreported and unresolved.
Cyber harassment
Online harassment has become another prevalent issue for women in cinema. Women and men alike are subjected to cyberbullying, public threats, and defamation. Vulgar comments, images, and videos are posted on social media platforms such as Facebook, with female artists often receiving explicit and threatening messages, including rape threats and photos of male genitalia. These acts are meant to humiliate, demoralize, and intimidate women in the film industry.
Suggestions for addressing sexual harassment
During the committee's examination, several recommendations were made regarding the formation of an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) under the POSH Act. Witnesses suggested that representatives from various film industry unions, including AMMA and FEFKA, be included on the ICC to address and resolve complaints of sexual harassment.
However, the committee has learned that a writ petition (W.P. [Civil] No. 33994/2018) has been filed by the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), seeking directions from the High Court to establish an ICC. The petition argues that AMMA is legally obligated to constitute a Complaints Committee against sexual harassment, in line with the guidelines set forth by the Supreme Court in the Vishakha case and the POSH Act. The petition further requests that the government appoint a Complaints Committee to address these issues.
The decision to release the report came after a single bench rejected actor Ranjini's appeal to stay the report's release till it considered the case. A division bench of the Kerala High Court had on Monday dismissed the senior actor's plea seeking a review of the report before its release to the public, citing technical reasons. The Hema Committee, which looked into the pressing issue faced by women in Malayalm film industry, was chaired by retired Kerala High Court judge Justice K Hema, with members--veteran actor Sharada and retired IAS officer KB Valsala Kumari.
The Hema Committee was formed after the 2017 actress assault case involving actor Dileep, to study issues of sexual harassment and gender inequality in Malayalam cinema. Even though the report was filed in 2019, the government did not release the details as it was suspected to contain sensitive information.
The actress-survivor who has worked in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films was allegedly abducted and molested in her car for two hours by some of the accused, who had forced their way into the vehicle on the night of February 17, 2017. The entire act was filmed by some of the accused to blackmail the actress. There are 10 accused in the case. Dileep, the eighth accused in the case, was also arrested and sent to jail. He was released after the court granted him bail. The case is pending.
