Mammootty and Mohanlal must be shocked, says Revathi

The Hema Committee Report has been supported by three-time National Award-winning actor Revathi. She is also a founding member of Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) and has since been vocal in her advocacy for a safer industry for women. The groundbreaking report commissioned by the Kerala government runs to 233 pages to expose the extensive exploitation and harassment faced by women professionals in the Malayalam film industry.

“Everyone took it seriously,” Revathi said, adding that this report has now become not just a story but official evidence of systemic issues in the industry. According to the report, there is a “gang” that is criminal and wants to chase away any woman who refuses to submit to their power, making it a first attempt in any Indian cinema.

The release of the report prompted several Malayalam actors to come forward and share their experiences, in what many described as the industry’s #MeToo moment. Further, several high-profile resignations followed the report, including filmmaker Ranjith stepping down as chairman of Kerala Chalachitra Academy in response to allegations of irregularities, while actor Siddique stepped down as secretary general of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) amid allegations of sexual abuse.

Revathi stressed that there are many people who have kept their mouths shut for years, but now feel they can open up after reading the report. “Some men have been saying for years that this happened to them – 19 years ago, 16 years ago. It’s like they’ve been silenced forever. The publication of the Hema Commission report has given them confidence that it’s okay to speak up,” she said.

After the report was released, the Kerala government said it was planning to form a Special Investigative Team (SIT) to investigate all the claims of survivors. Revathi admitted that it took a long time for steps to be taken, but she still appreciated the Pinarayi Vijayan government for having the courage to address these issues.

Regarding Malayalam superstars Mohanlal and Mammootty’s silence over the report, Revathi explained that they may have been as stunned as anyone else but chose to remain silent. She vowed that WCC would still strive for significant changes and safe workplaces for women in the industry. “We are trying to reach some kind of pinnacle to make our workplace safe in every possible way. I am sure this will not subside… the government will respond,” she said.

Revathi stressed that sexual harassment is a major issue, but mental torture is another issue that needs to be addressed urgently. “Just being in a workplace where men are drinking while they are supposed to be working is one of the toughest places to be,” she added, highlighting some other challenges faced by women in the industry.