Everything You Should Know About the Hema Report That Has Opened Pandora's Box in the Malayalam Film Industry

New Delhi- The Hema Committee report has recently sparked widespread discussion, with numerous actors commenting on it. However, few are truly aware of what this report entails. The report reveals the terrifying truth of sexual exploitation and vile demands in exchange for work in the Malayalam film industry. It highlights the deplorable conditions that women face within the industry.

Justice K. Hema's committee report feature testimonies from many women who shared their harrowing experiences. The report, which exposes the reality of sexual exploitation in exchange for work, had already reached the Kerala government five years ago, but it has only now been brought to public attention.

It's being said that the Kerala government released this report under pressure from RTI (Right to Information) demands. The report consists of 295 pages, though 60 pages have been removed before its release.

This report sheds light on influential men within the Malayalam film industry who misuse their power to harass and exploit female workers. These individuals, often in positions of authority such as directors, producers, and other key figures, are named in the report for their involvement in perpetuating a culture of sexual exploitation and gender discrimination.

What is the Hema Committee?

In 2017, an incident involving the kidnapping and rape of a Malayalam actress sparked a movement. The actress was abducted while traveling to Kochi in her car, where she was assaulted. This incident caused an uproar, leading to the arrest of the accused, but it also prompted other Malayalam actresses to raise their voices. Under this pressure, the government had to take action on the case.

A three-member team was formed under the leadership of Justice Hema, tasked with investigating the payment, shooting locations, and safety conditions of actresses and other women working in the Malayalam industry. The team conducted interviews with various actresses and others involved in the industry, uncovering its dark side. The report was submitted in 2019, but Chief Minister Vijayan did not allow it to be made public. However, when journalists and RTI activists approached the Kerala Information Commission, a directive was issued on July 6 to release the report while ensuring the privacy of the witnesses.

The report reveals that the Malayalam industry is dominated by men, and women face constant harassment. One actress mentioned that the script did not require her to expose her back, but during the shoot, she was asked to perform a lip-lock and other explicit scenes. Other women recounted experiences of being verbally abused, subjected to inappropriate comments, and mistreated on set. Substance abuse and poor behavior were common occurrences.

What's happening now

When actor Abhishek Banerjee, known for his role in 'Stree 2,' was asked about the harsh truths exposed in the report, he labeled them as "disgusting." Banerjee, who is also involved in casting, mentioned that a staff member from his company once tried to meet an actress outside the office, for which he was punished. He emphasized that his company strictly forbids such behavior, ensuring no one meets actors outside of professional settings.

Recently, Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra accused Malayalam film director and Kerala State Chalachitra Academy Chairman Ranjith of misconduct. Ranjith denied the allegations, but Mitra stated that during a script discussion at his residence, she felt uncomfortable due to his inappropriate behavior.

Ranjith quit as the chairman of the state-run Kerala Chalachitra Academy on Sunday.

This comes on a day when senior Malayalam actor Siddique resigned as the general secretary of Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes after a fellow actor had alleged that she was raped by him at a young age.