Hema Committee Report released: Casting couch, all-male groups and more controversial revelations about Malayalam film industry

After much anticipation, the Hema Committee Report was finally released by the Kerala Government on August 19, 2024. According to the reports, only 233 pages of the document have been made public, while other sections that could potentially infringe on the privacy of certain individuals have been withheld. From the casting couch to all-male groups that influence who gets cast in films, the Hema Committee Report reveals explosive details and findings about the plight of women in the Malayalam film industry. 

Explosive revelations of Hema Committee Report

The Hema Committee report underlines the existence of a powerful all-male group within the Malayalam film industry, which comprises of 15 influential celebrities such as directors, producers, and actors. It further reveals that this group has allegedly influenced who remains in the industry and who gets cast in films. 

Some of the most explosive revelations in the report address issues such as the casting couch. The report also discloses disturbing instances of sexual harassment faced by women in the industry, including actors and technicians, and notes that victims often refrain from reporting these incidents to the police out of fear for their safety. The report also talks about unequal pay and inadequate facilities for women in the industry. 

Hema Committee’s recommendations

The report highlights several measures to address these issues, including avoiding the hiring of individuals with criminal backgrounds as drivers, preventing the abuse of women through fan clubs, and establishing laws and a tribunal to manage industry-related problems. It advocates for the exclusion of individuals accused of serious crimes from the industry for an extended period and prohibits industry-wide bans on individuals by others. It also calls for the provision of toilets on film sets, a ban on alcohol and drugs, and the use of respectful language towards women. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for equal pay for female artists and the provision of safe accommodation for women. 

Kerala HC rejects actress Rajini’s appeal to stay the report

Earlier, the release of the Hema Committee report, initially scheduled for August 17, was delayed due to a plea by actress Ranjini requesting a copy of the report. The Kerala High Court had dismissed her plea. Ranjini pointed out that those who gave statements to the committee, including herself, had not been granted access to the report. 

For the unversed, in 2017, the Kerala government formed the Justice Hema Committee in response to a petition by the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) to investigate the issues faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. The committee was chaired by Justice K. Hema, with actor Sharada and former IAS officer K. B. Vatsala Kumari as members. The committee submitted its findings to the government on December 31, 2019, and the State Information Commission later approved the partial public release of the report under the RTI Act, with personal details redacted for privacy reasons. 

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