There are always reports of exploitation in the film industry. But if it becomes so common that it becomes difficult for someone to work, then it is a matter of concern. The condition of the Malayalam film industry is something like this, not us, but this has come to light in a report. This has been revealed in the report of Justice Hema Committee. According to the report, many actresses have stated in their statements that actresses are exploited indiscriminately in the Malayalam film industry. Heroes dominate there.
This 295 page report that came after five years has made shocking revelations. This report has shocked everyone, forcing them to think why this had not come to light till now. This is the same industry that has given the country famous actors like Mohanlal, Mammootty, Fahadh Fazil.
The report talks about everything from sexual exploitation to casting couch and harassment. It sheds light on how bad the condition of women is in the Malayalam film industry. According to the Hema Committee report, any work in the film industry is done only as per the wish of the hero. The heroine is not heard at all. This report includes a large group of big shots of the industry, which includes producers, directors and actors. They decide who should be given work in a film and who should not.
It said, ‘No man or woman dares to speak any words that can insult any person belonging to the powerful group, because such person is removed from the industry by the powerful lobby.’
The facts included in the report have raised concerns about the safety of women. The much-awaited report of the Justice Hema Committee, a government-appointed panel in 2019, has revealed explosive details.
The panel says that- Evidence has revealed that some men in cinema who are known and reputed for their power as actors, directors-producers or whatever in the film industry, have traumatized some women in cinema by sexually harassing and physically molesting them. A copy of this report has been handed over to the media under the RTI Act after the government.
The report also observed a misogynistic attitude towards women in Malayalam cinema and confirmed the existence of casting couch syndrome in the industry. The report states that directors and makers often pressure women into exploitative situations. Women who agree to their terms are codenamed ‘co-actors.’ Several statements have emerged from women who compromised their integrity for roles.
In a series of shocking and shameful revelations, it has been said that women have faced harassment, including cases of drunken men knocking on the doors of their rooms, in the film industry. It has been said that many actresses who have been victims of sexual harassment are hesitant to complain to the police due to fear.
It is written in the report that this is a world full of glamour. Everything looks fine from a distance but everything is disgusting from inside. It is written in the beginning of the report that do not trust what you see because even salt looks like sugar from a distance. The biggest problem that actresses face in the industry is sexual harassment. And they hesitate to talk about it.
The Justice Hema Committee was set up by the Kerala government in 2017 following a petition by the Women in Cinema Collective to investigate issues faced by women in the film industry. Actress Ranjini aka Saash Selvaraj was among the actresses who gave statements to the committee as part of this research.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)