Khushbu Sundar and Swara Bhasker talk about the Hema Commission report

Khushbu Sundar and Swara Bhaker discuss the Hema Commission report. (X)

The Kerala government formed the Justice Hema Committee after the 2017 actress sexual assault case. The report revealed cases of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry.

It brought to light the exploitation and abuse of women, leading to many female actors coming forward with allegations of harassment by their male colleagues and other men in the film industry.

Also read: Prithviraj calls for accountability and transparency in Malayalam cinema

‘A much needed break’

Khushbu Sundar on Wednesday (August 28) said the Kerala government-appointed Justice K Hema Committee was “badly needed” to put an end to the abuse faced by women professionals in Malayalam cinema. He urged women not to compromise and men to stand up for victims of sexual harassment.

The ‘MeToo’ moment that is sweeping through ‘our industry’ is ‘breaking you,’ the senior actor said in a post on ‘X.’

“Kudos to the women who stood their ground and emerged victorious. The #HemaCommittee was desperately needed to stop the abuse. But will it do that?” the BJP leader added.

“Abuse, asking for sexual favors and expecting women to compromise to gain a foothold or accelerate their careers are prevalent in every field. Why is a woman expected to go through the grind alone? While men also face it, it is only women who bear the burden to a limited extent,” says Sundar.

The fear of being shamed, blaming the victim and questions like “why did you do it” or “what made you do it” break the woman.

‘Women don’t even get support from home’

Talking about the abuse she faced at the hands of her father, Khusbhu said: “Some ask me why it took me so long to speak out about my father’s abuse. I agree that I should have spoken out earlier. But what happened to me was not a compromise to build my career. I was abused by the person who should have given me the strongest arms to hold me if I fell.”

“The victim may be a stranger to you or me, but she needs our support, a listening ear and emotional support from all of us. When we ask why she didn’t come out sooner, we have to consider her circumstances – not everyone has the privilege to speak out,” she said.

“I implore all men to stand behind the victim and show their unwavering support,” she added.

💔 This moment of #Me, too Dominating our industry breaks you. Kudos to the women who stood their ground and emerged victorious. ✊ The #HemaCommittee was desperately needed to break the abuse. But will that happen?

Abuse, asking for sexual favors and expecting women to compromise in order to…

— KhushbuSundar (@khushsundar) August 28, 2024

‘Showbiz has always been patriarchal’

Commenting on the report’s findings, Swara Bhasker said: “Showbiz has always been a patriarchal power structure where a woman who speaks out is labelled a troublemaker.”

“Do other language industries in India even talk about such things? Until we face the uncomfortable truths that we all know around us, the burdens of existing abuses of power will continue to be borne by those who are vulnerable…

“It was heartbreaking to read the commission’s findings. Even more heartbreaking because it is known. Maybe not every detail and not every little detail, but the bigger picture of what the women testified is all too familiar,” she wrote.

‘In solidarity with WCC’

Bhasker, known for her outspoken views on topical issues, expressed solidarity with the women who spoke out and with the members of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC). They demanded that the Kerala government set up an expert committee to look into the working conditions in their industry.

“Let us be clear, when power relations are so skewed, newcomers and other women who accept these conditions cannot be blamed for working within a framework they did not create. Accountability must always be sought from those who hold the power and create conditions in which women have no choice if they want to work,” she added.

The actor gave a shout-out to the members of the WCC, women who testified and comforted each other, and to all women who have faced sexual harassment and violence in the industry.

“You are heroes and you are doing the work that people in positions of power should have already done: respect and solidarity with you!”

I have finally gotten around to reviewing the findings of the #HemaCommissionReport edited version made available. It is heartbreaking.. and relatable. My thoughts.. @WCC_Cinema tribute to you ❤️ photo.twitter.com/fz2wsOLb3W

— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) August 27, 2024

(With PTI inputs)