Justice Hema Committee Report Sparks Calls for Reform in Malayalam Cinema

Two weeks since the Justice Hema Committee’s report on the challenges faced by women in Malayalam cinema was made public, it has become clear that the report’s most striking outcomes stem not directly from its findings but from the wave of responses it has triggered.

The report, submitted to the Kerala Government nearly five years ago, was finally released after a prolonged legal battle and a Right to Information (RTI) query, albeit with significant portions redacted to maintain confidentiality.

The report, which runs to 290 pages with 55 redacted, delves into issues such as sexual abuse, discrimination, pay disparities, and human rights violations within the industry.

However, it does not name the alleged perpetrators, as these names were removed alongside those of the survivors to protect their privacy. Despite this, the report has empowered women in the industry to speak out about their experiences, leading to cases being filed against several high-profile figures in the Malayalam film industry.

This recent wave of accusations includes cases against at least six prominent industry figures, such as filmmaker Ranjith, actor and MLA M Mukesh, and actors Siddique and Jayasurya. These allegations span incidents occurring over the past 15 years, with one of the cases against Ranjith involving the alleged abuse of an aspiring male actor.

The fallout from these revelations has been significant, with Ranjith stepping down from his position as chairman of the state-run Chalachithra Academy and Mukesh receiving interim protection from arrest while seeking further legal recourse. The powerful Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), led by superstar Mohanlal, has faced intense scrutiny, leading to the resignation of its executive committee and its eventual disbanding.

The impact of the Justice Hema Committee’s findings and the subsequent actions taken against accused individuals marks a potential shift in the power dynamics that have long been entrenched in the industry. The Committee’s report, while heavily redacted, has still managed to disrupt the status quo, challenging the power structures that have historically protected male dominance and suppressed women’s voices.

In response to these new allegations, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising four senior women police officers has been formed to investigate the cases. This development has drawn comparisons to the #MeToo movement, with the potential to create a lasting impact on the Indian film industry.

Existing mechanisms for addressing sexual harassment in the film industry have been largely informal, with complaints often mediated by industry bodies. These systems have proven inadequate, leading to the demand for more robust measures. The Hema Committee has recommended against the formation of Internal Complaint Committees (ICCs) within film production units, arguing that such committees could be influenced by all-male power lobbies. Instead, the Committee advocates for the creation of a tribunal, led by a retired district judge, preferably a woman, to address the issues faced by women in the industry.

The call for similar fact-finding investigations has spread beyond Kerala, with demands for probes in other regional film industries. In Karnataka, actress Sruthi Hariharan has called for an investigation following her allegations against actor Arjun Sarja, while actress Ritabhari Chakraborty has sought a similar probe in the Bengali film industry. Actor Vishal, the general secretary of the South Indian Artistes’ Association, has also announced plans for a committee to study abuse in the Tamil film industry.

The new cases present an opportunity to take sexual abuse in the industry beyond mere allegations and denials, potentially leading to tangible outcomes in courtrooms. The Justice Hema Committee’s report highlights that many survivors of abuse in the industry chose not to approach the police due to fear of repercussions. However, the recent wave of accusations indicates a shift in this dynamic, as more women feel empowered to speak out.

This shift has been driven in part by the efforts of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), a group that emerged in the wake of the sexual assault of a popular actress in 2017. The WCC has been instrumental in pushing for change in the industry, despite facing significant opposition and criticism. The collective’s perseverance has helped create a platform for women to seek the recourse they have long been denied.

As the Malayalam film industry grapples with these revelations, it is clear that the momentum for reform must be sustained. The Kerala Government’s handling of the Justice Hema Committee’s report, including the redaction of critical sections and the delay in its release, has raised concerns about its commitment to addressing these issues. The state now bears the responsibility of building on this momentum, ensuring that the investigations into these new cases are fast-tracked and that the systemic issues within the industry are addressed.

The Justice Hema Committee’s report may be a catalyst for change, not just in Malayalam cinema but across the Indian film industry. Whether this movement will bring about lasting reform or fade into obscurity remains to be seen, but the seeds of disruption have undoubtedly been sown.