Experts examine Hema Committee report

If you have been following the escalating revelations from the Malayalam film industry and feel that the focus is on shocking headlines rather than real progress, you have come to the right place. To truly understand the profound impact of the Hema Committee report that has shaken the industry to its core, YouThePeople sought the insights of experienced journalists and writers who have long navigated these complex cinematic worlds. Their extensive expertise and experience provide a critical lens through which to understand the depth of this unfolding drama.

Experts examine Hema Committee report

With new revelations, allegations and statements emerging every day, the question remains: Why was there such a long silence when the rampant sexism and sexual assault in the industry was common knowledge?

Subha J. Rao, a freelance journalist from Mangalore who covers Tamil and Kannada films, explains: “Sexism and harassment are not an isolated incident in the Malayalam film industry, nor is it a sudden outbreak. Here it has come to light because a committee was set up and its findings made public. It is the anger and frustration of many, many years.” Rao stresses that the current wave of revelations is part of a wider pattern of discontent that has finally found a formal outlet.

“We don’t know who in the Malayalam film industry knew all about what was going on, but the abduction and sexual assault of an actress in Kerala in 2017 came as a shock and spurred women in the Malayalam film industry into action,” adds Lata Srinivasan, a Chennai-based journalist with extensive experience in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam cinema, discussing the origins of this official medium.

Srinivasan added that the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) played a crucial role in drawing attention to sexual harassment. However, she highlights the bureaucratic delays, saying, “Though the report was ready in 2019, it took the Kerala government 5 years to publish it because the women the committee spoke to mentioned many prominent names from the industry.”

The 296-page study, finally released on August 19, contained anonymous statements from at least 80 women, ranging from well-known actresses to budding artists. Since then, the industry has seen a flurry of activity, disapproval of legal action, new allegations and resignations from the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists. Amid this deluge of information, how can journalists truly gauge the real impact of the Hema Committee report on the Malayalam film industry?

The Hema Commission report has had a notable impact on the Malayalam film industry, although opinions on its effectiveness vary. Rao points to one of the most important impacts: the backlash against women who speak out. She stresses, “The aim is not to stigmatize women, but to clean up the system and put in place rules that ensure a safe workplace for all.”

Lata Srinivasan believes that the report is a “welcome step” and could lead to a shift in the power dynamics in the industry. She notes, “As we know, most of the film industries here are male dominated and there are very few women in positions of power or authority within the industry. The current AMMA committee members have resigned and hopefully the new committee will have an equal number of men and women and will have a resource like theThe POSH Committee for Women in Film.”

Sangeetha Devi Dundoo, a Hyderabad-based journalist with in-depth insights into the Telugu film industry, says it is “too early to say whether the report had the intended impact.” She stresses that the situation is ongoing, noting that “we are all following the news, reading and watching events unfold.”

While discussing the credibility of the Hema Committee report, journalists raised concerns about the power dynamics of the industry, the investigation process and the judiciary.

Criticising the industry's reaction, Rao said, “Laughably, there are some loud voices. Some say they cannot be questioned in public; others insist they know nothing about a Hema committee; others make it their own business. The few sensible answers are not enough to make up for the crushing silence of the majority.”

Srinivasan elaborated on these issues, noting, “Someone said that the women might file false complaints and an actor stated that the actress who filed a complaint against him was actually trying to blackmail him. The question is, why should women talk to the media and reveal their identities when they know the consequences?”