Malayalam Film Industry: Expert Panel Reveals Horrific Stories of Women Harassment in Malayalam Cinemas

The long-awaited Justice Hema Committee report on harassment of women in the Malayalam cinema industry has recorded explosive accounts of intimidation, exploitation and assault of women professionals and alleged that a “criminal gang” controlled the industry, where unyielding women were being squeezed dry. The panel report also alleged that there was a “power nexus” consisting of a handful of producers, directors, actors and production heads.

The Kerala government set up the panel following the 2017 actress sexual assault case involving actor Dileep. The panel sought to investigate sexual harassment and gender inequality in Malayalam cinema.

The report, released on Monday, sheds light on the widespread and persistent sexual harassment faced by women in the Malayalam cinema industry, with many claiming that they have faced unwanted advances even before they started working.

The female actors who are willing to compromise are given code names. The female actors who are not willing to give in are thrown out of the field, the report says.

The report highlighted the widespread nature of the problem and raised concerns about the safety and wellbeing of women in the sector.

“It has come to light that certain men in the film industry, who are known and reputed for their talent as artistes, directors or anyone else in the film industry, have shocked certain women in the film industry by sexually harassing them and making physical advances against them,” the expert panel report said. The copy of the report was given to the media under the RTI Act five years after it was submitted to the government. In a series of shocking and scandalous revelations, the report alleged that women actors have faced harassment, including cases of their rooms being knocked by drunken persons in the film industry.

Many of those who experienced sexual harassment were reluctant to report it to the police out of fear.

“The sky is full of mysteries, with the twinkling stars and the beautiful moon. But scientific research has shown that the stars do not twinkle, and the moon does not look beautiful either,” the report said.

“Don’t trust what you see; even salt looks like sugar,” the report’s opening lines read.

According to the three-member panel’s report, sexual harassment is the biggest problem facing women in the film industry.

“It is the worst evil that women in the film industry face. Women in the film industry are the most reluctant to talk about the sexual harassment they face, even to other women or close family members,” the report said.

The commission said it was “shocked by the stories of sexual harassment” told to it by women working in the Malayalam film industry.

“The offer to act or do some other job in cinema comes with the demand for sexual favors for a woman. As I said, the woman is asked to adapt and compromise, and is expected to submit to sexual demands,” the report said.

“In most of the hotels where they stay, doors are knocked on by men who work in the cinema and are probably under the influence. Many women stated that knocking is not polite or decent, but they repeatedly bang on the door with violence,” the report said.

The panel stated that while many sexual acts committed against women in cinema fall under the IPC and the definition of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, prohibition and redressal) Act (POSH), the women who have suffered the atrocities prefer to remain silent.

“An artist added that if they take the case to court or the police, they will face worse consequences, including threats to their lives. The artist added that threats to their lives will not only be directed against the victims, but even their close relatives will be in danger,” the report said.

The report explicitly states that the police should report crimes committed in the sector. However, many people do not fear for their lives.

The report’s release, originally scheduled for July 24, was stayed by the Kerala High Court following a petition by a Malayalam film producer.

The court rejected the request on August 13 and ordered the government to make the report public within a week.

However, the publication was again delayed due to an actress’ petition, which was heard by the Supreme Court on Monday. The government finally released the report on Monday evening.

Minister of Culture Saji Cheriyan said the government has taken note of the findings and recommendations of the Hema Justice Commission.

He said the government would hold a film conclave within two months to discuss and resolve the issues in the film industry.

The opposition Congress party expressed shock at the commission’s findings and demanded to know who the government was trying to protect by keeping the report secret.

“The action of the government and the chief minister in keeping the report secret till now was a criminal offence,” Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly V D Satheesan told reporters in Kochi.

Actor Siddique, who is also the chairman of actors’ organisation AMMA, said they would study the report thoroughly and take necessary steps to address the issues.

Women in Cinema Collective, an organisation of female professionals in the sector, welcomed the publication of the report and thanked the panel members, the media, women’s organisations and lawyers.