Women have shown courage, it’s time for action!

The Malayalam film industry is experiencing a moment of catharsis as female artistes find the courage to share their #MeToo stories, thanks in part to the Hema Commission report. The report has given several women the confidence to speak out about their experiences in an industry tainted with sexual misconduct. The recent revelations have finally prompted the Kerala Police to file their first case in response to these allegations. On August 27, pressure from female artistes and civil society led to the resignation of top actor Mohanlal, president and all members of the executive committee of the film body AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Actors).

Earlier, on August 25, two prominent figures in the Malayalam film industry resigned amid mounting allegations. Director and Kerala State Chalachitra Academy chairman Ranjith resigned following allegations of sexual misconduct by Bengali actor Sreelekha Mitra. Actor Siddique, general secretary of AMMA, also resigned after he was accused of rape by Malayali actress Revathy Sampath.

On August 26, the police registered a non-bailable case against Ranjith based on Mitra’s complaint in Kochi. The case will be handled by a seven-member SIT team, including four women IPS officers, which was formed to probe the allegations after the publication of the Hema Commission report on August 19. The participation of women officers has encouraged more women artists to take to social media to voice their complaints. The names of many prominent figures in the film industry, including actor and CPM legislator M. Mukesh, have now been revealed. The allegations extend to other actors and directors, such as actor Baburaj, AMMA joint secretary; directors Sreekumar Menon and Thulasidas; and actors Jayasurya, Shine Tom Chacko, Edavela Babu and Maniyanpillai Raju.

The bigger problem

The situation in Kerala reflects a broader problem that exists in film industries around the world. The Hema committee report is notable because other industries have often ignored similar allegations against their stars. Consider the #MeToo movement in India in 2018, which saw Bollywood figures such as Nana Patekar, Alok Nath and director Sajid Khan accused of sexual misconduct. However, many cases were eventually closed and the issues were cast aside.

While Kerala may have been the first literate state in India, the country is not immune to widespread sexual exploitation in the film industry.

The three-member committee headed by former Kerala High Court judge K. Hema was formed in 2017 following the assault on leading Malayali actress Bhavana Menon. The report, commissioned by the Kerala Chief Minister at the request of the Kerala-based Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), aimed to address sexual harassment and gender inequality in the industry. The WCC was formed in response to the reported assault. Investigations by the Kerala Police reportedly pointed to Malayalam actor Dileep.

The Hema Committee report, submitted to the Kerala government in December 2019, was finally released on August 19, 2024, with limited redactions. The report confirmed what many female artists had long endured: stories of severe sexual harassment, discrimination and exploitation by influential figures in the industry.

The challenges

For survivors who have come forward, it has been a formidable battle, facing both societal stigma and industry backlash. They fear isolation from the industry and society at large. Challenging powerful figures in the film industry—actors, directors and producers with extensive fan bases and political connections—has been daunting. The survivors have also faced an apathetic government that delayed the report for five years and only released a redacted version after considerable pressure. With allegations surfacing against two-time CPM MLA Mukesh, the Left government has come under increased scrutiny. The opposition Congress and BJP have called for a trial against him and his resignation.

The critical question remains: will the Malayalam film industry undergo meaningful reform, or will this movement be another fleeting uprising? Previous movements have often fizzled out over time, undermined by the slow pace of judicial proceedings, loss of employment for victims and the power wielded by the accused. The Hema Committee’s recommendations, along with other measures such as legal protection for survivors, structural reforms such as tribunals, fast-track courts and strong prosecution teams with women members, need to be institutionalised to address this persistent problem, where perpetrators have often gone unpunished.

(Bharti Mishra Nath is editor of NDTV)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author