‘Casting couch, compromise’: Hema Commission report exposes harassment of female actors in Malayalam film industry

The Kerala government on Monday, 19 August, released the Justice K Hema Commission report revealing the harassment faced by female actors in the film industry.

The report was released after the Kerala High Court rejected the pleas by actor Ranjini against the release of the report. She had said that she was among the people who had given their statements to the commission but did not receive a copy of the same.

The report delves deep into wage discrimination to sexual exploitation, exposing the hidden harassment in the Malayalam film industry. It also revealed the casting couch culture and the silent suffering of women in cinema.

Leaving out some parts that reveal the personal information of actors, the government has released a 233-page document.

Also Read: Justice Hema Committee report’s publication postponed after actor moves HC

Adjustments and compromise

The report said that female actors are usually expected to grant sexual favours to the insiders.

The controller or whoever gives an offer for a role in the cinema first approaches the woman (girl in some cases) or if it is the other way around, a woman approaches any person in cinema seeking a chance, she is told that she has to make “adjustments” and “compromise” to make her way into the cinema, the report said.

“Compromise” and “adjustment” are two terms that are very familiar among women in the Malayalam film industry and, they are asked to make themselves available for sex on demand.

The report also sheds light on the troubling challenges faced by women in the Malayalam film industry.

Fear of harassment

According to sources, fear of harassment has left female actors dreading the lonely hours in hotel rooms during shoots.

Numerous female actors have shared harrowing experiences of men from the industry persistently knocking on their doors late at night, with some even fearing that these men might forcefully break in.

To safeguard themselves, many now insist on being accompanied by their parents during shoots. The gravity of these incidents, as revealed by several female actors, calls for serious legal scrutiny under the IPC (Indian Penal Code) and POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) laws, the report said.

It said that female actors face severe challenges on film sets during menstruation.

They often encounter significant discomfort when trying to change sanitary pads and may be forced to remain on set for hours without access to restrooms.

The lack of proper facilities has led to widespread issues, including urinary tract infections and other health problems among actresses in the Malayalam film industry. In many cases, production units do not permit women to use restrooms.

Also Read: Who is afraid of the Justice Hema Commission report?

Recommendations for improvement

According to sources, the commission has made several significant recommendations aimed at improving the working conditions for women on film sets.

• Ensuring Equal Opportunities: The report emphasises the need for inclusivity, urging that no one in the industry should be excluded or marginalised.
• Addressing Discrimination: It highlights the severe discrimination that women often face on film sets, calling for immediate action to address this issue.
• Ban on Alcohol and Drugs: A strong recommendation has been made to strictly prohibit the use of alcohol and drugs on film sets to create a safer working environment.
• Safety and Accommodation: The report stresses the importance of providing safe accommodation and travel facilities for women working in the industry, holding producers accountable for these arrangements.
• Background Checks for Staff: It is advised that individuals with criminal backgrounds should not be employed, particularly as drivers, to ensure the safety of women on set.
• Respectful Treatment and Equal Pay: The report underscores the need for women to be treated with respect, free from vulgar language, and should receive equal pay for their work.
• Casting Couch: The report openly acknowledges the existence of the casting couch in Malayalam cinema, a harsh reality that has long plagued the industry.
• Criminal Influence: It also suggests that criminals hold significant sway over the Malayalam film industry, exacerbating the issues faced by women.
• Sexual Exploitation: The report details widespread sexual exploitation, with directors and producers often pressuring women into compromising situations.
• Coercion in the Industry: Disturbing testimonies reveal that women are frequently coerced into compromising their integrity to secure opportunities, with those who comply being derogatorily labelled as “cooperating artists”.

The Committee was formed, after the 2017 actress assault case involving actor Dileep, to study issues of sexual harassment and gender inequality in Malayalam cinema.

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