Malayalam film industry run by ‘mafia gang’ that bans artistes for trivial reasons: Hema Justice Committee report

On Monday (19 August 2024), the Malayalam Film Industry came under scrutiny once again with the release of the Justice Hema Committee report. For years, the Malayalam Film Industry and its leading organisations have been accused and criticised for banning people from working. Be it actors like Sukumaran and Thilakan, or filmmaker Vinayan, many have been unofficially banned, preventing them from working.

The Justice Hema Committee report stated that banning individuals in the Malayalam film industry is unwarranted and illegal. The report noted that more men than women raised this issue with the panel. According to the report, only 10 to 15 individuals in the Malayalam film industry have the power and control over it. The report stated that certain male actors – who are also producers, distributors, exhibitors or directors – have acquired immense fame and wealth and exercise tight control over the industry. Several men testified that numerous individuals, including famous actors, were banned illegally and without permission.

Report of the Justice Committee K Hema: “#Malayalam film industry is under the control/grip of certain producers, directors, actors – all males, termed as ‘mafia’. They control the entire film industry and dominate other persons working in cinema. No man or woman dares to say… — Cinemania (@CinemaniaIndia) August 19, 2024

According to the Justice Hema Committee report, these bans are imposed for trivial reasons like insulting a member of a power group on silly issues. If a person is not liked by a member of the power group for any trivial reason, he is denied work because other members unite to exclude him. The same power group has enough clout to ban even producers and directors irrespective of their work.

The report also noted that these bans are not documented but communicated verbally. A witness, testifying before the Justice Hema Committee, said that there is no government agency to file a complaint with. Moreover, since there is no documentation of these illegal bans, those who are banned are unable to take legal action.

What is the Hema Commission report and why is it so important?

Hema Committee was set up by the Government of Kerala to study the hardships faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. Justice Hema headed the committee and despite the submission of the report 5 years ago, it was not… photo.twitter.com/DYUbEMlrHe
— Mohammed Ihsan (@ihsan21792) July 24, 2024

The report states: “The production manager may also tell the producer that he or she is a troublemaker, or that he or she will not be on time for the film, or that she is a ‘me-too’ person, etc. If the production manager is approached by an influential person asking him or her not to let a certain person work in a cinema, he or she also uses a number of tactics to keep that person away.” It then went on to say: “The power group has no authority to ban someone from working in a cinema. It is illegal. It is also unconstitutional.”

Meanwhile, some women warned the committee that this power group is causing actors associated with the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) to lose opportunities. WCC members feel that they have been banned for speaking out about the undesirable practices taking place in the Malayalam Film Industry.

“At first we thought it was strange, but as the investigation progressed we realised that their fears were justified.”

The one sentence that should tell us how monumental the Hema committee report is – even though it has been edited. photo.twitter.com/L0O9GJ3rTi
— Ragamalika (@rgmlk) August 19, 2024

Interestingly, the report recalled an instance in which a “very famous actor” referred to this power group as a “mafia sangham.” The actor was quickly ostracized, despite being “one of the best actors in the industry.” When he tried to make a living by working in TV series, the power group expanded its influence, further damaging his career with malicious intent.

The report also states: “On several occasions, famous actors, prominent officials of the Artists Association (AMMA), FEFKA have used their influence on various actors, technicians, producers and financiers not to work or associate with the said director in any of his projects.”

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