Hema report exposes sexual harassment in ‘Mollywood’ – DW – 29-08-2024

This article contains reports of rape and sexual abuse

Mollywood, the Malayalam-language film industry based in the southern Indian state of Kerala, has come under intense scrutiny over a growing sexual abuse scandal involving some of the industry’s top film stars and leaders.

A groundbreaking report on the issues faced by women in Mollywood, made public last week, revealed that “sexual harassment of women is widespread”, highlighting the dark side of the film industry.

The report found that women in the film industry face a number of challenges, including sexual demands, sexual harassment, gender discrimination, lack of safety in the workplace, inadequate basic amenities and wage gaps.

Since the report of the so-called Hema Commission was made public, countless women have reported sexual abuse of male actors and filmmakers.

The Kerala Police have so far registered at least 17 cases involving prominent figures from the film industry.

“Actors are coming out to name and shame their abusers, showing courage and telling of their ordeals. More revelations are expected,” a senior police official told DW on condition of anonymity.

The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) was dissolved after its entire executive committee resigned in light of the report’s findings. A new governing body is expected to be elected within two months.

Local media reported widely that renowned Mollywood director Ranjith has resigned as chairman of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy, a non-profit organisation that promotes Malayalam films, following allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra.

Ranjith said he would fight the charges against him.

Industry struggles with consequences

The Hema Committee, headed by retired Kerala High Court judge K Hema, was formed in 2017 after an actress was raped in a moving car while driving home from work, sparking outrage in the film community.

Although the commission’s findings were published in 2019, multiple legal proceedings have prevented them from being made public until now.

The Hema report states unequivocally that control of the film industry is in the hands of a conspiracy of male producers, directors and actors.

“This is how sexual harassment is normalised in showbiz and this is how a predatory atmosphere becomes the way things are,” actor Swara Bhaskar said in a statement. “Showbiz is not just patriarchal, it is also feudal in nature.”

“Successful actors, directors and producers are elevated to the status of demigods and whatever they do is allowed,” she added.

Actress Minu Kurian, also known as Minu Muneer, whose statement was recorded by police on Wednesday, told DW she was confident that justice would be done.

“Many artists have had a bad experience. Those who don’t ‘collaborate’ with powerful members of the industry have been thrown away,” Kurian told DW.

She filed complaints against seven people, including a top Mollywood actor and Edavela Babu, a former general secretary of AMMA.

“They did not give me membership in AMMA because I maintained my stand,” Kurian added.

“I just hope that the industry is cleansed after this series of allegations by different actors,” Kurian said. “There has to be respect and safe spaces for women, otherwise what’s the point?”

Edavela Babu denied the allegations against him.

“I have no enemies and will answer to the authorities,” Babu told DW. “There is no basis for these allegations.”

Making Mollywood Safer for Women

While most Mollywood followers have remained silent about the damning revelations in the Hema report, some have raised concerns about the general problem of sexual harassment and abuse.

Lead actress Prithviraj Sukumaran said the influential AMMA had fallen short in handling complaints from female actors and called for a serious investigation into the issues raised.

“It is important to punish those who committed sexual abuse. My responsibility does not end with just keeping my film location safe, it is important that the entire industry is safe for people,” Sukumaran told a press conference this week.

This is not the first time that an Indian film industry has come under fire. In 2018, Bollywood, the Hindi film industry based in Mumbai, was rocked by a sexual abuse scandal.

Allegations of sexual harassment by actress and former Miss India, Tanushree Dutta, against Bollywood legend Nana Patekar, brought to the fore the issue of male dominance and exploitation of women in the Indian film industry.

A year earlier, after the 2017 rape incident, 18 women – including actors, directors, producers and technicians – formed the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) to create a professional space for women in the male-dominated film industry seeking justice.

A petition by the WCC led to the formation of the Hema Committee by the Kerala government.

“This report urges the government and the industry to address sexual harassment. I hope it will empower women, raise awareness and create safer spaces for them,” said Vidhu Vincent, a filmmaker and former member of the WCC.

“I hope the findings lead to significant changes in the film industry and better accountability.”

Beena Paul, film editor and founder of the WCC, said there are issues that urgently need to be addressed to make the industry a safer environment for women.

“This is an industry that has been around for decades and changes are needed to create a level playing field,” Paul told DW.

Edited by: Keith Walker