How we deal with the Hema Commission report is very important, says Radhika Sarathkumar

Speaking to ANI, she said, “The Hema committee was formed by WCC, a group of women who campaign for women’s rights and working conditions… they had gone to the Hema committee. But after the report was done, it was not published. It had gone to the government and it lay there for four years until they went to court. The court had to tell them to release the findings. So once it came out, there were a lot of allegations. And it has gone out of proportion in Kerala in naming the artistes who are the top tier of the Malayalam film industry.”

“This whole thing is for the protection of women… In my long career, I have seen many things that we need to keep changing. Times have changed and people’s characters have changed. Education and lifestyle have improved. How we address this is very important,” Radhika added.

Veteran actor Mohanlal also extended his support to the Kerala government’s decision to publish the Justice Hema Committee report. “We welcome the Hema Committee report. It was the right decision of the government to publish that report. AMMA cannot answer all the questions. These questions should be asked to everyone. This is a very hard-working industry. Many people are involved in it. But not everyone can be blamed for this. Those responsible will be punished, an investigation is underway,” the actor said.

Mohanlal clarified that he is not affiliated with any power groups in the film industry and was not aware of the existence of such groups. “Avengers should be punished if there is evidence against them,” the “Drishyam” actor said while referring to the allegations of sexual misconduct and molestation that surfaced against some members of the fraternity.

Recently, Mohanlal and other leaders of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) resigned following serious allegations of sexual abuse against several prominent figures in Malayalam cinema, including director Ranjith and actors Siddique and Mukesh.

Earlier this month, a redacted version of the Justice Hema Committee report was made public. The report, which details shocking accounts of harassment and abuse of women in the industry, has sparked significant backlash in the film community.