The Hema Committee report, detailing a plethora of issues within the Malayalam film industry, especially those faced by women, was made public on August 19, nearly five years after it was submitted to the Kerala government. The publication of this redacted report, which omits the names of witnesses and the accused, has sent shockwaves through the industry, exposing rampant sexual exploitation, illegal bans, the absence of written contracts, deplorable working conditions for junior artistes and crew, the lack of essential amenities on film sets for women, and many other troubling issues.
On the night of February 17, 2017, a high-profile female actor was abducted and sexually assaulted by a group of men in a moving vehicle in Kochi, the center of the Malayalam film industry. She filed a case the following day, triggering a seismic shift within the industry that led to the creation of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC). The WCC is comprised of some of Malayalam cinema’s most prominent women actors and technicians. In response to the demands from WCC members, Kerala’s Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan appointed a committee led by retired Kerala High Court judge K. Hema to investigate issues of sexual harassment and gender inequality. The committee also included former bureaucrat K.B. Valsala Kumari and actor T. Sarada.
Though the report was submitted to the Kerala government on December 31, 2019, it remained a closely guarded secret for nearly five years, fostering widespread speculation about its contents. Despite repeated calls for transparency from various industry stakeholders, including the WCC, the government resisted releasing the report. The Department of Cultural Affairs denied multiple Right to Information (RTI) requests, citing concerns for witness privacy.
The tide turned on July 6 when the State Information Commission ordered the report’s release to the public by July 25. However, the government delayed the publication after a producer and a witness filed a petition with the Kerala High Court, voicing privacy concerns. The report was finally unveiled after the High Court dismissed these objections.
The existence of a “casting couch”—demanding sexual favors from aspiring actors for roles—has long been speculated in the industry. The report, accessed by The Hindu through an RTI application, confirms this sordid practice via in-camera testimonials. Witnesses provided compelling evidence, including audio and video clips and WhatsApp message screenshots.
The report brings to light several disturbing issues: accounts of men knocking on women’s doors at night trying to force their way in, the trauma of women compelled to act alongside their abusers, and the industry’s grip of fear stifling reports to the police or family members.
. Women feared career repercussions, including unjust industry bans and cyberattacks.
The Malayalam film industry is dominated by a powerful clique of male producers, directors, and actors, which one notable actor likened to a “mafia,” capable of ostracizing dissenters. WCC members have faced unofficial bans merely for speaking out. The report describes the appalling conditions for junior artistes, who face long hours with meager pay and no access to changing rooms or toilets, especially on outdoor shoots, resulting in urinary infections and other health issues. The report likens their plight to that of slaves.
A day after the Hema Committee report’s release, more shocking revelations emerged, generating a political firestorm. The Left Democratic Front (LDF) government has been at the center of this controversy, with calls for accountability growing louder. Key recommendations from the committee include statutory amendments and the establishment of a tribunal to address the industry’s gender issues and other grievances. The committee also underscored the ineffectiveness of Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs), given the potential for coercion and favoritism by influential individuals.
The committee has also advocated for basic amenities such as temporary toilet facilities and changing rooms on film sets and highlighted the significant gender disparity in technical roles within the industry. At the K.R. Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts, a film institute under the Kerala Department of Higher Education, only two women were enrolled in technical departments among the 44 students during the period reviewed by the committee. To address this gap, the committee recommended reservations and scholarships for women in film schools.
Legal analysts believe the report’s revelations are a substantial basis for the government to launch a special investigation. Opposition parties have criticized the government for the delay in releasing the report and are demanding an all-women team of senior police officers to lead the investigation. Chief Minister Vijayan has assured that the government will act decisively if anyone testifies against their alleged persecutors. Meanwhile, the Kerala High Court has directed the government to submit the full committee report in a sealed cover and present its plan of action. A further hearing is set for September 10.
The report’s release, though partial, is seen as a victory by the WCC, as it has ignited conversations around critical issues. This development could potentially lead to significant reforms in an industry that has consistently garnered national acclaim for its cinematic quality.
