RGV calls for investigation into Bollywood

Indian cinema has been rocked by shocking revelations following the Hema Committee report, which detailed widespread sexual abuse in the Malayalam film industry. Following the findings, Bollywood filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma went to X to ask if the rest of Bollywood is also covering up similar crimes.

“If the Malayalam film industry has been targeted by the Hema committee, which was set up only for the Malayalam industry, how can one know what is happening there unless committees are set up for each of the other language industries?” Varma wrote.

According to the Economic Times, the Justice Hema Committee was initially set up by the Kerala government in 2017 following an assault reported by an actor. Amid allegations of sexual harassment and exploitation against several actors and directors, the state government on August 25 announced the formation of a seven-member special investigation team.

According to Deccan Chronicle, several women in the industry have come forward to speak out against prominent Malayalam actors and directors in Bollywood’s version of #MeToo. The 235-page redacted report is said to contain several accounts of sexual harassment, abuse of women and how they are exploited in the workplace.

A Bollywood veteran who made his name with horror films like Raat (1991) and Bhoot (2003), Varma is well-placed to ask tough questions of an industry he has been a part of for decades. His X-post also resonated with his followers.

“It is important to ensure transparency and accountability across industries, irrespective of language or region,” wrote one fan, acknowledging Varma’s post. “By addressing issues in one industry, it can pave the way for similar investigations and improvements in other industries. Every industry should have mechanisms in place to monitor and address any concerns to ensure a fair and ethical environment for all involved.”