Thiruvananthapuram: In a significant political development, Kerala’s Leader of Opposition, V.D. Satheesan, has accused the Pinarayi Vijayan government of deliberately suppressing a critical report on sexual exploitation within the Malayalam film industry. The Justice K Hema Committee Report, which unveils harrowing details about the mistreatment and sexual exploitation of women in the film industry, was finally made public after a protracted legal battle culminating in its release on Monday.
The report has been three years in the making, first commissioned by the Vijayan government in 2017 and completed in 2019. Despite the state’s expenditure of Rs 1.50 crore on the committee, the findings were kept under wraps until judicial intervention mandated their release. Satheesan expressed his outrage, condemning the delay as a calculated move to protect influential perpetrators within the industry.
“This is a grave crime done by the Vijayan government, and we wish to know why this report was kept in cold storage. Was it to save those who did the exploitation? The need of the hour is a special police probe team headed by a top woman IPS official to bring all wrong-doers to justice, regardless of their status or influence,” Satheesan said emphatically.
In a somewhat defensive response, state Culture and Films Minister Saji Cherian acknowledged the publication of the report but maintained that no formal complaints of exploitation had crossed his desk during his three-year tenure.
“Now a report has been published, and it speaks of such things, but I am ready to order a probe if there is any complaint. I wish to inform all that no one needs to be worried and any woman coming with a complaint will face no duress,” Cherian stated.
He also announced plans for an upcoming conclave that would bring together key stakeholders from various segments of the film industry to discuss and address these pressing issues.
The Hema Committee’s 289-page report opens with a poetic warning: “The sky is full of mysteries; with the twinkling stars and the beautiful moon. But, scientific investigation revealed that stars do not twinkle nor does the moon look beautiful. The study, therefore, cautions: ‘Do not trust what you see, even salt looks like sugar.
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According to the report, the experiences many women have endured in the industry are both shocking and distressing, to the extent that they have not even revealed these experiences to close family members. Furthermore, the report unearthed that men, too, have suffered significant injustices, including unauthorized bans from the industry that seem to stem from trivial matters or the wrath of powerful figures within the industry.
The core issue highlighted is sexual harassment, described as the worst form of wrongdoing faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. Despite appearing bold, most women are reluctant to reveal their traumatic experiences, especially incidents of sexual harassment. They fear repercussions, including being banned from cinema or enduring additional forms of harassment. The report notes that powerful individuals in the industry can instigate severe online harassment via fan clubs, creating a hostile environment for women who dare to speak out. Additionally, threats to the lives of these women and their family members have been reported, effectively silencing them.
The report also touches upon the origins of this exploitation, tracing it back to initial interactions women have with industry gatekeepers. When seeking roles, women are often approached with demands for ‘adjustments’ and ‘compromises’—euphemisms for sexual favors. These terms have sadly become familiar to women in the Malayalam film industry. While some instances of consensual sex are acknowledged, the majority of women are not willing to acquiesce to these demands.
Testimonies revealed instances where even mothers have become complicit, believing there is no other way for their daughters to enter the industry. This acceptance of a disturbing status quo has been labeled as a shocking reality by many witnesses who spoke to the committee. Unlike other professional fields, the cinema demands a level of personal surrender that is both degrading and unjust.
In summary, the Justice Hema Report paints a grim picture of the Malayalam film industry, characterized by pervasive sexual harassment and exploitation. The urgent call for a dedicated police probe led by a high-ranking female IPS officer underscores the need for institutional intervention to protect the vulnerable and hold the perpetrators accountable. As the industry braces for an introspective conclave, the hope is that actionable steps will be taken to rectify these egregious wrongs and foster a safer, more equitable environment.