Rajinikanth on Hema Committee report shaking up Malayalam film industry: ‘I don’t know anything about it’

the Hema Committee report which highlights issues like sexual harassment, lack of basic amenities, gender discrimination and wage gap in the Malayalam film industry. The findings and the subsequent allegations of sexual assault have shocked the Malayalam industry. Megastar Rajinikanth was recently asked to comment on the same.

Rajinikanth was seen at the Chennai airport on Sunday where reporters besieged his car to ask him about his upcoming film Coolie and other topics. While he was happy to discuss most things, he seemed completely unaware of the Hema Committee report that has created a stir in the Malayalam film industry and across the country.

In a video by Polimer News, Rajinikanth looked confused when asked if he wanted to set up a committee to investigate exploitation in the Tamil film industry and asked to repeat the question. When he heard “Hema Committee, Malayalam”, he smiled and said, “I don't know… I don't know anything about that. Sorry.”

Meanwhile, Mohanlal, actor and former president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), recently resigned from his post amid mounting allegations of sexual assault in the Malayalam film industry. His resignation, along with that of the entire 17-member executive committee, came after the release of the Hema Committee report, which exposed rampant sexual exploitation in the industry.

Reflecting on his role, he added, “I have been the president of AMMA for the last two terms. The entire Malayalam cinema is under the report of the Hema Committee. What we see is that all questions are directed only to AMMA. AMMA cannot answer all questions. These questions should be asked to everyone. This is a very labour-intensive industry. Many people are involved in it but not all are responsible. Those responsible are punished.”

Mammootty also broke his silence on the Hema Committee report and the sexual harassment cases in the Kerala film industry. Taking to Facebook, the Malayalam superstar welcomed the report and expressed his support for the changes needed to make the industry a better place to work.