Thiruvananthapuram: Information from the Justice K. Hema Committee report, which studied the issues faced by women in the film industry, has been released. The report spans 233 pages. However, details that could violate privacy and identify individuals have been omitted. Information from paragraphs 165 to 196 on page 49 and some sections from pages 81 to 100 have also been excluded. The report highlights widespread sexual exploitation in the film industry. It indicates that compromises are expected for opportunities and that directors and producers force actors to engage in inappropriate activities. Code names identify those who are willing to cooperate. Prominent actors are among those who exploit others. Actors who refuse to comply are denied opportunities and labeled as troublemakers. The committee’s report states that the revelations have been shocking.
The report emphasizes that directors and producers compel actors to engage in inappropriate activities and that sexual exploitation is widespread in the industry. The male dominance in Malayalam cinema has been described as entrenched for centuries. Several actresses have testified about being pressured to make compromises. The report suggests that both men and women should have equal rights.
The report also notes issues related to the portrayal of women in cinema. Apart from the lead actress, no one is typically allowed the facility of a caravan. Many women experience significant difficulties even using toilets. Many lead actresses are afraid to stay alone in hotel rooms at night, and it is common for doors to be knocked on during the night. The report mentions that many prominent actresses are shown on screen wearing tight clothing.
Actress Ranjini’s petition requesting that the details of the Hema Committee report not be released was rejected by the High Court today. Although Ranjini approached a single bench subsequently, she did not receive a favorable response. The single bench’s dismissal of her petition cleared the legal obstacle to releasing the report.
The Information Commission has stated that information affecting the privacy of individuals and aiding their identification would be excluded from the released report. It took five years after the report was submitted for the Commission to be ready to release the information. Following this, producer Sajimon Parayil and actress Ranjini approached the High Court requesting that the report not be released, but their petitions were also dismissed.
The Justice K. Hema Committee report, which studied the problems faced by women in the film industry, was submitted on December 31, 2019. The government appointed the committee under the leadership of Justice Hema after issues arose related to an actress’s assault in Kochi. The three-member committee included former High Court Judge K. Hema, actress Sharada, and retired IAS officer K.B. Vatsalakumari.
