Justice Hema Committee Report Unveils Pervasive Issues Faced by Women in Malayalam Film Industry

The Justice Hema Committee’s report, investigating the hardships faced by women in the Malayalam film industry, has shed light on widespread issues such as sexual harassment, gender discrimination, inadequate facilities, and the absence of a formal mechanism to address these grievances. The report, which had been under wraps for nearly four and a half years, was finally made public following multiple legal battles.

Formed in July 2017, the three-member committee, led by retired High Court judge Justice K. Hema, was established in response to the sexual assault of a prominent actress in a moving vehicle earlier that year. The committee’s findings reveal disturbing accounts of misconduct involving influential figures in the industry. “It is very painful to hear some incidents narrated by witnesses in which very highly placed men in cinema were involved. These are the people whom society looks up to with great reverence and admiration. Incident by incident, as narration progressed, many icons started crumbling. These are the people who have the influence and power to change the course of Malayalam movies. Unfortunately, these are the people contributing to the degeneration of the profession,” the report stated.

The report describes the harrowing experiences of women in the industry, many of whom had kept their ordeals hidden even from close family members. The committee noted that this silence is unsurprising, given the industry’s environment and the potential consequences of speaking out. “Surprisingly, in the course of study, we came to know that certain men had also suffered a lot of issues in the industry, and many of them, including some very prominent artistes, were banned, without authorisation, from working in cinema… They would have, knowingly or unknowingly, invited the wrath of one or other person from the powerful lobby in the industry that rules the industry,” the report added.

The committee’s conclusions were drawn from the oral testimonies of both men and women who appeared before it, along with various documents, audio clips, video clips, screenshots, WhatsApp messages, and chats provided by the witnesses. One of the report’s key observations is that many women refrain from filing police complaints due to the fear of facing online abuse.

A notable testimony came from a prominent actor, who informed the committee of a powerful lobby within the industry capable of influencing outcomes, including the banning of actors, producers, and directors. This so-called “mafia” presence, according to the report, complicates the effectiveness of internal complaints committees (ICC) in resolving the issues faced by women in the Malayalam film industry.

The report also highlights the pervasive problem of the ‘casting couch’, where women are subjected to sexual demands in exchange for job opportunities. The committee noted that in many cases, ability and qualifications are insufficient to secure a role in the industry, as sexual favors are often expected.

The report goes on to describe instances where intoxicated men harass women by repeatedly knocking on or banging on the doors of their hotel rooms. This behavior has led many women to feel unsafe, forcing them to bring a family member along when they go to work. The committee also emphasized the urgent need for a dedicated authority to address the grievances of women in the industry.

According to the report, women who are perceived as troublemakers risk being blacklisted, which further discourages them from speaking out about the injustices they face. The Justice Hema Committee submitted its findings to the state government in December 2019. However, the Cultural Affairs Department initially denied multiple RTI requests for the report’s release, citing concerns over the privacy of witnesses.

In July, the State Information Commission ordered the report’s release, provided the identities of the witnesses were not disclosed. Despite this directive, a film producer secured an interim stay on the release of the report. Last week, the Kerala High Court lifted the stay, instructing the government to make the report public within a week. Actor Ranjini also sought to be heard before the report’s release, but her plea was rejected by the court on Monday. Following this, the report, originally 295 pages long, was released with 63 pages redacted.

The Justice Hema Committee report outlines 17 critical issues that women face in the Malayalam film industry. These include:

1. Women are subjected to sexual advances from the moment they enter the industry.
2. Sexual harassment, abuse, and assault occur at workplaces, during transportation, and at accommodation facilities.
3. Women who resist or reject sexual demands are subjected to torture.
4. Basic facilities for women, such as toilets and changing rooms, are lacking at workplaces.
5. Women face safety concerns at their workplaces and accommodations.
6. Unauthorised and illegal banning of individuals in the industry is prevalent.
7. Women are silenced under the threat of being blacklisted from the industry.
8. The industry is dominated by men, leading to gender bias and discrimination.
9. The use of drugs and alcohol, along with disorderly conduct, leads to gross indiscipline at workplaces.
10. Women are subjected to demeaning or vulgar comments in the workplace.
11. There is a failure to execute contracts between employers and employees according to individual requirements.
12. Agreed-upon remuneration is often not paid.
13. There is a significant disparity in pay between men and women, along with gender discrimination in remuneration.
14. There is resistance or reluctance to allow women to work in technical roles in the industry.
15. Women face online harassment.
16. Women lack legal awareness of their rights.
17. There is no legally constituted authority to address their grievances.

The Justice Hema Committee’s report has exposed the deep-seated issues within the Malayalam film industry, particularly the systemic discrimination and harassment faced by women. The revelations have underscored the urgent need for structural reforms and the establishment of a formal mechanism to protect the rights and dignity of women in the industry.