The panel members submitted the report to Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan on December 31, 2019. (File pic)Courtesy- The Hindu

The Mooknayak English

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.

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Hello everyone, One phrase that I often use in the newsroom is ‘don’t be a frog in the well’. It’s my way of telling reporters to look beyond the small, familiar confines of their world, just as a frog might mistakenly believe its well is the entire universe. That’s why today’s email focuses solely on one issue — the Hema Committee report on Malayalam cinema. A feminist revolution is unfolding, and whether you’re in Kerala or another state, it’s important not to overlook it. The Hema Committee – which comprised Justice Hema, retired IAS officer Valsalakumari, and actor Sharada – was announced on July 1, 2017, by the Department of Cultural Affairs. It submitted its report to the Kerala government on December 31, 2019 and was finally made public on August 20, 2024. Why this gap? I will explain later.  What did the committee find? Rampant sexual harassment, a power group enforcing unofficial bans on those who don’t comply, and structural inequalities. Women aren’t even provided bathrooms on sets. You can find all our stories about the report here. You might wonder, if misogyny and unsafe conditions are common in film industries, why did the Kerala government establish this committee? The catalyst was the February 2017 kidnapping and sexual assault of a famous actor in her own car. In response, a group of women from the industry, who called themselves the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), met with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and demanded government action, leading to the Hema Committee’s formation. I recommend reading Nidhi’s account of that night, including her interview with one of the accused. Over the years, I’ve asked many WCC members why they united. They said that while the industry was unsafe, they never imagined such a heinous, premeditated crime could occur, which compelled them to speak out.But this wasn’t easy. Months after the committee was formed and took statements, it went into a limbo. WCC approached the CM, questioning the delay in April 2018. It took one and a half more years for the committee to finalise its report and submit it to the CM. But there was silence after that. On February 5, 2020, Congress MLA Shanimol Usman raised the issue of the report in the Assembly. Just days later, on February 19, Justice Hema wrote to the government, advising that the report remain confidential but also noting that Supreme Court guidelines should be followed. If those guidelines had been observed, the government could have simply redacted the names of survivors and released the report. Instead, the CPI(M) government refused to release it. Despite multiple meetings by the WCC, the government wouldn’t budge, even violating RTI provisions. Read Jisha Surya’s account from that time. A new Information Commissioner eventually allowed the report to be released. The focus then shifted to the court, where a producer – likely acting as someone’s proxy – challenged the release. The court overruled the objection. A female actor (Ranjini) who spoke to the Hema Committee also went to court, asking for a postponement, but her concerns were valid. What consequences would the woman have to bear if their names came out?  Anyway, now the report is finally out, with all statements redacted. That is, we do not know the names of the survivors or those accused of crimes. But the government seems to have redacted more than what was ordered. Read our story here. Why? We have no answers.  Now, let’s look at the fallout from the report. The High Court has ordered the Kerala government to submit the full report. What will happen next? I know that some men have been accused of harassment or assault by multiple women. Will the court direct the police to file cases? There are also indications that minors may have been assaulted. Will cases be filed for that? Let’s also address the villains in this situation. According to me, that’s the leadership of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA). AMMA, which means mother in Malayalam, has faced criticism since 2017, when the organisation supported actor Dileep, who was accused of masterminding the abduction and assault of a female actor. Many in Kerala now refer to them as A.M.M.A. instead of AMMA. A.M.M.A. has consistently shown indifference to the concerns raised by the WCC and others. After the assault, the survivor and many others left A.M.M.A., but the organisation showed little concern. This time, they held a press conference, initially striking a politically correct tone by claiming to welcome the report. But then their true colours emerged. A.M.M.A. general secretary Siddique – a powerful figure in the industry – claimed ignorance of the casting couch. Then the dominoes started falling. Siddique’s brazen remarks prompted an actor, who had previously accused him of sexual assault, to go public with detailed accounts on multiple TV channels. Within hours, Siddique resigned as A.M.M.A. general secretary. Meanwhile, Bengali actor Sreelekha Mitra accused director Ranjith Balakrishnan of inappropriate behaviour years ago, with two people able to corroborate that she had shared this with them at the time. Culture Minister Saji Cherian, who had been behaving outrageously, sided with Ranjith, saying he is a prominent artist and dismissing the allegation. Ranjith is indeed a major figure in contemporary Malayalam cinema, but the demand wasn’t for him to stop making films — it was for him to step down as chairman of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy, a government institution. He finally resigned, though he blamed Sreelekha for politically targeting him — a claim that’s ironic since both are known CPI(M) sympathisers. Even as I write this, more women are coming forward to speak out. What will come of it? Will any man be held accountable by the police? These are the questions on everyone’s mind. But we need to think beyond that. This isn’t just about sexual abuse — although some men must be punished. It’s about systemic failures. The Kerala government should face pressure to implement basic reforms: mandating toilets on film sets, requiring written salary contracts, and establishing sexual harassment committees. The churn has just begun, and we’ll be with you every step of the way. On August 29, Cris, Nidhi Suresh, Sukanya Shaji, and I will discuss the Hema Committee report and what we’ve learned. We hope you’ll join us.   Warm regards,