The Malayalam Film Industry is experiencing a significant upheaval after the release of the Hema Committee report last Monday. Superstar Mohanlal has stepped down from his role as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). Reports indicate that all 17 members of the executive committee have resigned as a group. Additionally, well-known actor Siddique quit his position as General Secretary of AMMA on Sunday following allegations of sexual harassment made by a famous actress. Siddique mentioned in a conversation that he sent his resignation to the then-president Mohanlal. On a related note, Malayalam director Ranjith also resigned recently as chairman of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy after facing claims of misconduct by Bengali actor Sreelekha Mitra.
What’s in the Hema Committee Report?
This report has unveiled several shocking facts about the Malayalam film industry. According to PTI, the Justice Hema Committee Report released last Monday highlights the sexual harassment that women face in the industry. The report mentions that women are often offered work in exchange for sexual favors. Many women have reported being forced to compromise even before starting their work. This has intensified concerns about the safety of female artists in the Malayalam film industry.
In 2019, the government set up the Justice Hema Committee to study the challenges that women face in the Malayalam film industry. The report reveals crucial details about sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of women. Five years after its submission, a copy was given to the media under the RTI Act, catching widespread attention on social media.
Calls for Change Grow Louder
The Hema Committee suggests that an Internal Complaints Committee might not be effective, as influential individuals can manipulate its members to manage complaints as they wish. The report further raises concerns about the confidentiality of information shared with the ICC, especially if it includes insiders from the industry, thus worsening the complainants’ plight. The committee recommends that the government draft a suitable law and form a Tribunal to address the difficulties women encounter in cinema.
Since this report surfaced online, major changes have occurred in the Malayalam Film Industry, with notable figures like Mohanlal resigning from AMMA. However, these actions will only be meaningful if substantial reforms are implemented to ensure that women not only feel but are genuinely safe in their workplaces. The public outrage following incidents like the Kolkata doctor rape-murder case has also increased empathy for women in the Malayalam film industry.
