Six things to know about Hema committee’s revelation about the dark side of Mollywood – Telangana Today

Hyderabad: The Malayalam film industry, widely recognized for its artistic contributions, has recently come under intense scrutiny after the release of the Hema Commission report. The report sheds light on the systematic sexual harassment, exploitation and gender inequality faced by women in the industry. The long-awaited findings reveal a dark side of Mollywood, dominated by a powerful, all-male group that exercises control over the industry. Here are some details of the Hema Commission: its origins, members and the shocking revelations in the report.

What is the Hema Commission?

The Hema Committee is a panel set up by the Government of Kerala to investigate the working conditions and issues faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. The primary focus of the committee was to expose cases of sexual harassment, gender inequality and other forms of exploitation within the industry. The committee is named after its head, Justice K Hema, a retired judge of the Kerala High Court.

Origin of the Hema Committee

The Hema Committee was formed in 2017 after a high-profile case of an actress shook the Malayalam film industry. The incident exposed the dark side of the industry, where women were often victims of harassment and abuse. The Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), an organisation formed by women in the Malayalam film industry, requested the Kerala government to take action against these injustices. In response, the government formed the Hema Committee to conduct a detailed study on these issues and recommend measures to improve the situation of women in the industry.

Who are the members of the Hema committee?

The Hema committee comprises three members: Justice K Hema, its chairperson, actor Sarada and IAS officer KB Valsala Kumari. These members brought together a wide range of expertise – legal, administrative and industrial experience – to conduct a thorough investigation into the issues faced by women in the Malayalam film industry.

What’s the problem?

The core issue that the Hema committee addresses is the widespread sexual harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam film industry. The committee’s report exposes a systemic problem, with an all-male power group consisting of directors, producers and actors exercising control over the industry. This group, dubbed a “mafia” by some insiders, wields considerable influence and determines who gets cast in films and who stays in the industry. Women who refuse to comply with the demands of this power group often face severe consequences, including being blacklisted from the industry.

The report also highlights the existence of a “casting couch” culture, where women are pressured to compromise their moral character to secure roles in films. In some cases, women are given code names such as “collaborative artists” if they agree to the demands of the male-dominated power structure. The report includes disturbing accounts of women who have been sexually harassed by male colleagues and have been too afraid to report the incidents for fear of reprisals.

What is the current report?

The much-awaited Hema Commission report has been released by the Kerala government under the RTI Act, though 63 pages were deleted from the original 295-page document. The report confirms the existence of a powerful male-dominated group in Mollywood that propagates sexual harassment and exploitation. It also exposes poor working conditions, disparate wages and lack of basic amenities for women in the industry.

The report sheds light on the pervasive culture of silence and fear that prevents women from speaking out against harassment. Victims are often too afraid to approach the police, fearing for their lives and the safety of their families. The report also reveals that even young artists, who are new to the industry, are exposed to exploitation, with no set working hours, no overtime and no transport to return home.

In response to the report, the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) said that they needed time to study the report before taking action. However, the publication of the report has led to demands for registration of FIRs and police investigations into the allegations.

What are the final findings?

The Hema Commission report has exposed the underlying systemic issues of sexual harassment, exploitation and gender inequality in the Malayalam film industry. While the publication of the report is an important step towards addressing these issues, it also highlights the urgent need for decisive action to protect women in the industry. The industry must now address its hidden side and work towards creating a safer and level playing field for all its members.