The Indian film industry, long mired in allegations of patriarchal attitudes and exploitative practices, is once again in the spotlight due to pressing calls for a transformative overhaul aimed at ensuring the safety and sanity of female professionals. This heightened awareness follows the seismic impact of the Justice K. Hema Committee report, as articulated by numerous prominent female artists and technicians in conversations with The Hindu.
The Hema Committee report, finalized in 2019 and made partially public five years later, spans 235 pages and divulges a range of offenses in the Malayalam film industry. Key revelations include instances of sexual abuse, gender inequality, unlawful restrictions, and gross labor violations. The response from the industry has been far-reaching.
The release of the report prompted several female actors to step forward with accusations of sexual harassment involving notable figures in Malayalam cinema. Consequently, the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) faced a tumultuous period, resulting in the dissolution of its executive committee. The entire 17-member committee, including president and veteran actor Mohanlal, relinquished their positions amid escalating allegations of sexual impropriety.
The ramifications of the Hema Committee’s findings reverberated throughout the Indian film industry. In an unprecedented move, the South Indian Artistes’ Association (SIAA) in Tamil cinema resolved to implement stringent measures, including a five-year industry ban on any individual found guilty of sexual offenses. Similarly, members of Film Industry For Rights and Equality (FIRE) have urged the Karnataka government to establish a committee, led by a retired judge, to delve into issues faced by women, including sexual harassment in the Kannada film sphere. These developments have spurred akin demands in the Telugu, Bengali, and Hindi film sectors. Meanwhile, in Malayalam cinema, there is a growing call for the formation of the Progressive Filmmakers’ Association to dismantle outdated power structures and prioritize equity and social justice.
Prominent voices like actor Priyamani, who has worked across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi cinema, emphasize that despite the rapid fizzling out of the #MeToo movement, the current wave of scrutiny, sparked by the Hema Committee report, is being taken seriously and discussed extensively. Priyamani advocates for the establishment of similar committees in other film industries, echoing that more such reports could be advantageous.
Actor Swara Bhasker, one of the few prominent figures in Bollywood who responded to the report, underscores that investigations alone are insufficient. She calls for the central and state governments to institute specific guidelines for the film, TV, and media industries, ensuring protection for all employees. According to Swara, there should be government-sanctioned grievance redressal cells accountable to the public to aid complainants and victims.
During the 2018 #MeToo movement, the entertainment industry faced shocking revelations of sexual misconduct, some resulting in legal action. Singer Chinmayi Sripada from the Tamil film and music industry was among the first to voice her concerns about the absence of institutional structures to address sexual harassment. Despite these revelations, a pervasive culture of intimidation and silence continues to stifle dissenting voices. The Hema Committee report highlights the absolute power held by male actors, filmmakers, and producers, who can blacklist or ban individuals at will. Victims often face threats of financial harm and professional setbacks, deterring them from speaking up.
Swara Bhasker cites the career of Hindi film actress Tanushree Dutta, who alleged misconduct and sexual harassment by Nana Patekar in 2008 and again in 2018, as illustrative of the issue.
. Tanushree’s career suffered significantly, forcing her to relocate to the USA.
The Hema report also draws attention to the alarming prevalence of the “casting couch” practice, seeking sexual favors in exchange for roles. Women are frequently expected to “adjust” and “compromise” to secure opportunities. The report includes accounts from witnesses who provided evidence of demands for sexual favors merely to enter the cinema industry. Swara asserts that such a work culture is inherently exploitative.
Actor-producer Rima Kallingal, co-founder of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), a platform whose petition led to the Hema Committee’s formation, reflects on her entry into filmdom. Supported by a gender-neutral filmmaker, she initially found dignity in her workspace. However, she quickly encountered an environment where she felt utterly devalued, with sexually charged remarks being a constant reality.
Swara Bhasker recounts an incident early in her career where she was persistently stalked and harassed by a director during an outdoor shoot. She tolerated it to not jeopardize the project but sought assistance from a kind executive producer, who ensured her safety.
Beyond sexual exploitation, the Hema report highlights substandard working conditions, including the lack of essential facilities for women. There are loud calls for improving the chaotic and informal environments of film sets, which entail prolonged working hours. Veteran actor Radhika shared an incident of unlawful recording inside a vanity van, emphasizing the dire need for change.
Cinematographer Preetha Jayaraman recalls the absence of basic facilities like toilets for female technicians in the 90s, a situation that has only marginally improved.
Priyamani notes that facilities like changing rooms and restrooms, at least on the sets she has worked on, are now available to everyone, including character and junior artists.
Negotiating respect and authority remains a challenging endeavor for women in the film industry. Filmmaker Indhu V.S, who debuted as a director with the Malayalam film 19(1)(a), recalls the positive changes in recent years but also the dismissive attitudes she faced earlier from male technicians.
In 2017, following a high-profile sexual assault case involving a Malayalam actress, actor Varalaxmi Sarathkumar’s fervent call for a redressal forum for women led to broader discussions. Despite the existence of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act of 2013, its effectiveness in the film industry is often questioned. Varalaxmi advocates for an unbiased committee in Tamil cinema, cautioning about the deep-rooted societal issues that compound the problem.
Veteran actor Simran echoes the call for an inclusive committee that addresses complaints from all genders, stressing that the challenges faced by individuals in the film industry are reflective of broader societal struggles. She urges new entrants to maintain their dignity and advocates for educating young men to be responsible and trustworthy.
As the Indian film industry grapples with the implications of the Hema Committee report, it is evident that substantial and sustained efforts are required to bring about meaningful change and ensure a safe, equitable working environment for all professionals.
