One news item occupying the front pages of all newspapers is “ The HEMA COMMITTEE REPORT”. This report has created a storm in the Malayalam film industry. This committee was formed by the Kerala government in 2017 after an actress was allegedly sexually assaulted at the instigation of the actor Dileep. Following pressure from a group called ‘Women in Cinema Collective’, the state government commissioned a fact-finding study of what women endure to work in film productions.
The committee was headed by former judge of Kerala High Court K Hema. The two other members were actor T Sarada and retired Principal Secretary of the Kerala government KB Valsalakumari. The study was completed in 2019 after recording the anonymous testimonials of at least 80 women, from well known actresses to junior artists. However the report was released on 19th August ’24 after several legal challenges against its publication-and after the release, the report promptly opened a barrel of worms.
While the report has not named any predators or enablers, its release has led to accusations of sexual misconduct against filmmakers and actors, including Ranjith, Siddique, Baburaj and Saajin Babu. Three days back Kerala government forms a seven-member-panel of senior police officers to investigate the allegations.
As per Hema Committee members, “our function was only to study the issues relating to women in cinema and report; not name or shame anybody or expose the guilty”. Among the people contacted were members of Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), Film Employees Federation of Kerala, Women in Cinema Collective, and unions representing various filmmaking departments.
As the situation has developed quickly after the publication of report, the Kerala Police , two days back registered a non-bailable case against filmmaker Ranjith after a Bengali actress accused him of sexual misconduct during the production of a film.
Here are some of the key findings, mentioned in the report. The committee members examined a host of problems, from poor working conditions to constant threat of sexual assault.
Reluctance in speaking– One of first hurdles encountered by committee members was Silence. Many women denies ill treatment, most likely because they feared reprisal or strictures from their unions. To cite the example- Committee members said initially we formed a WhatsApp for initiating discussion with background dancers. This was done for initiating discussions with them. But, when a message was posted by Committee in the group expressing intention to convene meetings with them and hold discussion on the various issues faced by them, Committee members were shocked, as instead of responding to message, they started leaving the group.
Denial of Basic Human Rights– The report highlighted the lack of basic facilities for women at shooting locations such as toilets and changing rooms. Women avoid drinking water for as long as possible, harming their health. A junior artist told the committee that “ she was not allowed to go to the toilet by the production unit since it takes 10 minutes by walk to reach convenient place..”
Sexual Harassment is the Major Issue– This issue has a caveat, “ All men are not responsible for the bad reputation for the film industry”. The report highlights some of horrific instances of abuse. It begins with women who wish to enter the film industry, “ she is told that she has to make adjustments and compromise.” The women are expected to make themselves available for” sex on demand. Many women in the industry are made to believe that all women in the industry get into the industry or retained only because they had sex with men in the industry”. Artists who willingly appear in intimate or explicit scenes are branded as available. Some of the witnesses shared video clips as well as screenshots of WhatsApp messages to prove that predators included well-known figures in Malayalam cinema.
Outdoor shoots can be unsafe-the report mentions chilling late-night time knocks on the door. The knocking will not be polite or decent. On many occasion women artists felt that the door will collapse and men would force an entry.
Social Media and Fan Groups & Their Role– The committee found that the affected women are unwilling to speak or file police complaints, because women who have dared to go public with the sexual assault have faced viral, sexualized attacks from social media or members of fan groups. The women are publicly threatened and defamed on social media. The trolling include threats of rape and extends to their family members.
A Mafia-like Lobby– There is prevalence of ‘powerful lobby” that acts like a ‘mafia’ banning or penalizing actors at will. This lobby comprises of men including actors, producers, distributors and directors, who are in full control of whole Malayalam film industry. Because of this lobby “No man nor woman dare to say any word which may offend anyone belonging to power group, because such person will be wiped off the industry by this powerful lobby. This lobby has ganged up against women who became members of the ‘Women in Cinema Collective’ in 2017, working behind the scenes to deny them roles or get them dropped from projects on false pretext.
No Written Contracts– Only main actors get the written contract, not the rest of cast and crew. This means that there is no legal way to resolve disputes of payment, the nature of work and scripting or scheduling changes. The report gives the example of a leading actress who was asked to enat intimate scenes beyond those that had previously discussed. The actress walked out and waived her remuneration, but was informed by the director that until she met him personally again, he would not delete the intimate scenes he had already shot with her-a form of blackmail. Had there been a written contract such a crisis could have been avoided.
Presently, the Malayalam film industry is in shambles, with many artists, technicians coming out with # Me-Too allegations. All the managing committee members of artist unions are facing allegations from their members of misuse of powers, misconduct, and sexual molestation charges etc. Even top stars, directors have started speaking against each other openly.
The top actor of Malayalam film industry Mohanlal has quit as President of AMMA, in a fallout of the Hema Committee Report and wave of # Me-Too allegations against many prominent Kerala film industry figures. AMMA’s executive has been dissolved, as some top office-bearers are under scrutiny for sexual abuse.
What has happened in Malayalam film industry, I am sure the same such scenes must be prevailing in another language film industries including Bollywood.
Let us wait and watch for what happens next? In filmy language “ Picture Abhi Baaki Hai Mere Dost’.
Waiting for your feedback on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
28th August 2024