The narrative around the recently released Hema Committee report has taken the Malayalam film industry by storm, raising pressing questions on the future of the sector, particularly concerning the welfare of women working in it. Unveiled to the public on August 19, nearly five years after being submitted to the Kerala government, the report shines a light on pervasive issues ranging from sexual exploitation to inhumane working conditions, especially affecting junior artistes and crew members.
The shocking saga began on the night of February 17, 2017, when a well-known actress was abducted and sexually assaulted by a group of men in a moving vehicle in Kochi—a hub for the Malayalam film industry. Swiftly filing a case the following day, the survivor’s ordeal acted as a catalyst, shaking the entrenched power structures of Malayalam cinema and leading to the formation of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC). Comprised of some of the industry’s most prominent women actors and technicians, the WCC became instrumental in advocating for justice and systemic changes.
As a response to the mounting demands from WCC members, Kerala’s Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan appointed a committee led by K. Hema, a retired judge of the Kerala High Court, to scrutinize issues of sexual harassment and gender inequality within the industry. The committee also included former bureaucrat K.B. Valsala Kumari and actor T. Sarada.
Submitted to the Kerala government on December 31, 2019, the Hema Committee report remained under wraps, fueling intense speculation. Despite ongoing demands from multiple stakeholders, including the WCC, the report stayed under lock and key. The Department of Cultural Affairs resisted releasing it, citing the need to protect the privacy of the witnesses involved.
However, on July 6, the State Information Commission mandated the department to make the redacted report public by July 25. After several delays due to privacy concern petitions, the report was finally released after the Kerala High Court rejected the petitioners’ objections.
Rumours of a “casting couch”—where aspiring actors are asked for sexual favours in exchange for roles—had long been whispered within the industry. The report, accessed by The Hindu via a Right to Information (RTI) request, confirms these malpractices through in-camera testimonies from various witnesses. The witnesses provided compelling evidence, including audio clips, video footage, and screenshots of WhatsApp messages, that exposed the existence of this nefarious practice.
Moreover, the report sheds light on a powerful cabal within the industry, described as a “male mafia” by a prominent actor.
. This group of male producers, directors, and actors who control the industry can impose bans to ostracize dissenters. Some women reported men attempting to forcibly enter their rooms at night or knocking on their doors with ulterior motives. Many women retold stories of being forced to work with their abusers, and the fear of retribution has kept them silent, fearing bans from the industry and potential cyberattacks.
The committee also highlighted the dire conditions on film sets where basic amenities were lacking. Junior artistes, especially women, faced health issues like urinary infections due to the absence of toilet facilities and changing rooms. Working long hours for meagre pay, their plight was likened to that of slaves.
In its recommendations, the committee urged the State government to enact laws and establish a dedicated tribunal to address the issues facing women in the cinema. It also suggested that relying on an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) would likely be ineffective, given the potential for members to be coerced or threatened by powerful individuals. Temporary toilet facilities and changing rooms on production sets were among the proposed measures to improve working conditions.
The report also pointed out the significant gender gap in film schools, citing the K.R. Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts where only two women were enrolled in technical departments out of 44 students. In this regard, the committee recommended reservations and scholarships for women to bolster their presence in the technical aspects of cinema.
Legal experts argue that the revelations in the Hema Committee report provide enough grounds for a special investigation. Political opposition parties have lashed out at the government for the delayed release of the report and have demanded an investigation led by an all-women team of senior police officers. Chief Minister Vijayan has asserted that the government will intervene decisively if any survivors come forward with complaints against their persecutors.
Meanwhile, a division bench of the Kerala High Court has directed the government to present the entire committee report in a sealed cover and outlined the need for the government to clarify its position on subsequent actions. The next hearing has been scheduled for September 10.
For the Women in Cinema Collective, the release of the redacted report marks at least a partial victory. It has ignited conversations on critical issues and could potentially initiate long-overdue reforms within a nationally celebrated industry for its cinematic contributions.
