A report recently released by the Hema Committee has shaken the Malayalam film industry in India, exposing shocking truths of sexual exploitation of actresses.
The report that was submitted to the Kerala government in December 2019 came to the light only in July 2024. The report has brought out all-pervasive sexual harassment within the industry.
The investigation was in response to the abduction and sexual assault of noted actress Bhavana in February 2017, in which actor Dileep was implicated, following protests by the Women in Cinema Collective. Former Kerala High Court judge Justice K. Hema spearheaded the inquiry, after which the report presented 17 critical aspects of exploitation that women in industry faced.
The Hema Committee report has come out with a dismal view of the Malayalam film industry, where sexual harassment is wildly rampant and normally goes unreported out of fear of professional repercussions. Most of the actresses did not dare to speak openly before the committee for fear that if they raised their voices, they would either be blacklisted or would not get any work opportunities.
The report exposes a culture of intimidation whereby harassment comes from directors, producers, and production controllers, among others. It details how the power players of the industry often compromise actresses in order to fulfill their desires. The all-encompassing term “adjustment” is one often used to refer euphemistically to sexual favors, and this reportedly is an ingrained aspect of the industry.
Perhaps the most startling revelation in this report is the attitude of the male actors, where it is assumed that because the actresses are comfortable doing explicit scenes on screen, they will be equally game for performing those acts when off-screen. This kind of mindset has perpetuated a culture where women are openly propositioned for sex by their male colleagues.
The voluminous evidence, in the form of video clips, audio recordings, screenshots and WhatsApp messages corroborating the claims of the actresses, too reached the committee. Several women complained harassment in hotels during shoots was common with male colleagues attempting to gain entry to their rooms at nights. When women refused to open the door, the men forcibly broke in, some of them were reported to have done.
The report, besides sexual harassment, has highlighted the absence of basic amenities for female actors at outdoor shoots: “Many women reported that there are no toilets, forcing them to drink as little water as possible to avoid health issues. In the absence of any sanitary facility, many women also find it difficult to use sanitary pads during their menstrual cycle, hence getting infections and other health problems.
People are outraged by the findings of this report, and a number of figures in the industry have faced legal action. The revelations have shaken not just the Malayalam film industry but brought into sharp focus a larger issue of exploitation in several other regional film industries across India.
