Kerala Police: No case, says Hema report; govt sets aside Rs 1 crore for film policy

Kerala police have said that no case can be filed on the basis of the Hema committee report, citing a lack of specific details about individuals, locations and circumstances. The report, submitted to the DGP four years ago, has nevertheless sparked widespread debate in the film industry. The government may be forced to address the report’s recommendations, particularly its call for an independent system to prevent injustice in the industry.

In response to the report’s release, the Kerala government’s cultural department has allocated Rs 1 crore to hire a consultancy firm to develop a comprehensive film policy. The policy will study and address various issues in the industry. The allocation follows a request by the MD of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation to Minister Saji Cherian to release funds. The move is seen as part of the government’s broader effort to reform the film industry in light of the report’s findings.

The Justice Hema Committee, formed in 2017 to look into the challenges faced by women in the Malayalam film industry, submitted its 233-page report to the government on December 31, 2019. The report, which was made public on August 19, exposed widespread exploitation, misogyny and sexual demands placed on women in the industry. Despite omitting sensitive information to protect privacy, the report has shed light on oppressive practices within the industry, with those who refuse to cooperate facing severe backlash and ostracism.