Hema Commission Report: Parvathy Thiruvothu wants to take timely action

Parvathy Thirutothu calls for timely action on the Hema Justice Commission report. (X)

The award-winning actor also pointed out that the public is watching the Kerala government’s response closely. She expressed concern that while some in the industry may choose to remain silent, the government cannot afford to do the same.

Parvathy Thiruvothu, a member of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), said they cannot wait another four and a half years for the government to take corrective measures.

Earlier this week, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the state police cannot take action on its own against the cases of sexual abuse and harassment at workplaces mentioned in the report unless the survivors file formal complaints.

Hema Commission Report: ‘It is high time to guarantee safe workplaces for female actors’

Draws attention to POCSO cases

In response, Parvathy Thiruvothu urged the government to investigate why the report makes a distinction between “women” and “girls” in its references. She suggested that this distinction could indicate serious problems that his engine cognizance under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

“Unfortunately, the WCC has no data on the crimes covered under the POCSO Act as reportedly mentioned in the Justice Hema Committee report.”

The actor also sought clarity on the government’s proposed conclave to discuss issues affecting the Malayalam film industry. She questioned the purpose of the conclave. “Will it be a platform shared by both survivors and perpetrators? Will it only include discussions on necessary changes in workplace practices?”

Further, Parvathy Thiruvothu highlighted the existence of powerful groups within the industry as mentioned in the Justice Hema Committee Report. She felt that it would not be possible to fight against these groups without naming individuals.

She also shared her experiences. “Despite being part of successful films like Pull out (2017) and Ojaar (2019), I have received fewer offers because of my affiliation with the WCC. However, I remain committed to the WCC cause and am not bothered by the reduced number of film opportunities.”

In an interview with The News MinuteParvathy Thiruvothu recounted an incident when she resigned from the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). She said supporting actors were too scared to speak out against the “mafia” of the industry.

“This fear is not limited to women. Men are also hesitant to speak out. Many women have lost their jobs because of their association with the WCC,” she recalls.

Despite the challenges, Parvathy Thiruvothu acknowledged a positive change in the atmosphere on film sets in recent years. However, she doubted whether women who spoke out would go to the police, citing a lack of trust in the system.

She stressed that the government must take concrete steps to restore trust and ensure justice for those affected.

Report of the Hema Justice Committee: Strong reactions from the government and stakeholders

Report confirms extreme discrimination against women

The Justice Hema Commission report found that there is extreme discrimination against women in the Malayalam film industry, including the widespread existence of the casting couch.

It was argued that women often feel unsafe when going to work alone and that sexual demands are often related to job opportunities.

The Committee also noted that this exploitation sets the film industry apart from other professions, where skills and interview skills are typically sufficient to get a job.

The Justice Hema Committee was formed to look into issues of sexual harassment and gender inequality in Malayalam cinema after the 2017 actress assault case involving actor Dileep. Though the report was submitted in 2019, the government is yet to release the full details, citing concerns over sensitive information.

(Edited by Y Krishna Jyothi)

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