Kerala CM’s inaction on Hema Commission report sparks outrage

“There is no need to file a fresh complaint to take legal action. The government has had a significant number of complaints for four and a half years but has chosen to keep them under wraps. Immediate action is needed to end exploitation in the film industry. An investigation should be conducted by women IPS officers and those responsible should be held accountable,” Satheesan said at a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram.

The Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), an organisation of female professionals in the film industry, welcomed the publication of the report and expressed hope that the government would take all necessary steps to study and implement its recommendations.

Saijitha Madathil, one of the founders of the collective, said: “Our biggest hurdle was publishing the Hema Commission report, which was a challenge with many difficulties and even a lawsuit from the WCC. This is just the beginning. We are still reviewing the report and the film industry is yet to give feedback. We are waiting for their responses.”

Most participants agreed to the panel in the hope that their contributions would inform a government study that would focus on future reforms. According to Madathil, while there is broad agreement on the need for change, no one plans to take individual legal action. The expectation is that the government will act on its policies.