Recently, the Justice Hema Committee report, which was to inquire into sexual harassment within the Malayalam film industry, came out. There have been widespread debates and movements which not only remain restricted to Kerala but also have engulfed other film industries across India. The report, which came out on August 19, brought to the fore prejudices-deep-rooted gender bias and exploitation- that exist in the film industry. The resultant outrage has ensured some key developments, including one where Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that the state government is mulling a comprehensive cinema law aimed at ensuring safety for women.
Kanika Dhillon, one of the noted screenwriters responsible for ‘Kedarnath,’ ‘Manmarziyaan’, ‘Guilty’, commented on the implications brought forth by the report. News18 Showsha got in touch with Kanika, and the ace writer opened up about how one needs to weed out the corrupt practices and gender bias in every industry. “Whenever focus is drawn to the malpractices and prejudices against women in any industry, it definitely makes people across industries take note and retrospect,” says Kanika Dhillon.
Kanika Dhillon praised the Hema Committee Report for bringing into the limelight the various challenges faced by women and injustices meted out against them in the Malayalam film industry. She further said that reports of this nature would lead to change. “Kudos to the Hema Committee Report for bringing into light the plight and malpractices that women have been subjected to! Only when the focus and the spotlight will be directed to these issues, will the change begin to improve the work environment and professional spaces for women across industries,” she added.
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Parvathy Thiruvothu Condemns AMMA’s Collective Resignation from the Committee
With the talks still on, Parvathy Thiruvothu, the outspoken feminist in the film industry and one of the founding members of Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), has finally spoken up against the en-masse resignation of women from the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists committee. In an interview with journalist Barkha Dutt, Parvathy did not beat about the bush and termed the act as a cowardice on the part of AMMA. Although she did not name names, her statement was seen by one and all as a broadside at the powers that be in Malayalam filmdom, including actor Mohanlal.
Parvathy explained that this en masse resignation had been done to shun responsibility and accountability, and would further worsen the impact of their problems as faced by women in the industry.
Bangla Film Industry Issues Charter of Demands to Reinforce Dignity and Safety of Women
The report has also had its ripple effects in the Bangla film industry, where the Women’s Forum for Screen Workers has issued a charter of demands to reinforce their dignity and safety in the workplace. Signatures on the said charter by 50 actors and technicians are indicative of the increasing recognition of the need for systemic change across different regional film industries.
Tanushree Dutta Slams Hema Committee Report, Says Need Strong Law and Order System
Actor Tanushree Dutta spoke exclusively to News18 last week and lashed out at the Hema Committee Report, saying that committees and reports are ‘useless’ and one should be focusing on ‘enforcing a strong law and order system’.
Hema Committee Report Sparks Debate on Requirement for Similar Procedure in Bollywood
The Hema Committee Report has evoked a debate on whether the same process should also be adopted in the Hindi film industry for the protection of rights of women on a film set. Kanika Dhillon, a writer who had, in an earlier interview, opened up on the gender prejudice she faced in Bollywood and how it ‘almost wreaked havoc’ in her career, reacted to this much-talked-about report on the possible implications it can have on women in cinema.
FIR Filed Against Actor-Turned-Politician Mukesh and Others Following Complaint by Actor Minu Muneer
An FIR was filed against actor-turned-politician Mukesh and actors Jayasurya and Edavela Babu following a complaint by actor Minu Muneer on August 29. The FIR against Jayasurya has reportedly been registered under Section 354 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to intent to outrage a woman’s modesty. A joint statement has also been released by a group of 100 women writers and activists urging Mukesh to quit on ‘moral grounds’.
Hema Committee Report Shows Systemic Discrimination and Harassment Faced by Women in Malayalam Cinema
The committee headed by Justice K. Hema spoke of the intrinsic discrimination and harassment women face in the industry. The report also refers to an “all-male”, powerful group of 10-15 people at the top of the pecking order of Malayalam cinema.
Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) Fights for Justice Against Sexual Harassment
In the long fight for justice against sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry, as the Women in Cinema Collective spoke for their colleagues assaulted by those in the fraternity, on the other side-among the men-the silence was telling.
Lack of Support from Industry Leaders and Superstars Frames Resistance to Change
Despite several complaints, “fewer than half a dozen men” came out in support of the efforts of the WCC, formed after a well-known Malayalam woman actor was allegedly sexually assaulted in a car for two hours in 2017. The lack of support from industry leaders, superstars and technicians frames the resistance to change — and the challenge ahead — women film professionals say.
Divya Gopinath Recounts Lack of Support from Male Colleagues During Backlash
Actress Divya Gopinath says she can count on her fingers the number of men from the industry who stood by her during the backlash she faced in 2018, after she accused a co-actor of harassing her during a shoot in June 2017. “There were very few men who stood by me then. However, some did make public statements despite the risk to their careers,” says Gopinath, a WCC member.
Beena Paul on How the Formation of WCC was Viewed Unwelcome by the Industry Leaders
One of the founding members of the WCC, the veteran film editor Beena Paul says that they had approached the industry leaders and superstars in the year 2017 regarding the formation of such a women’s collective. However soon after, they realized that “our efforts were unwelcome”.
Actor Gopinath Opens About Perception of WCC Members as Rebels and Troublemakers
Actor Gopinath opines, “Perhaps 5-6 per cent of the men in the industry supported us silently. We had no intention of changing society or leading a revolution — we just wanted to be actors. But at some point, we were forced into this fight. We had to mature quickly. And in doing so, many saw us as rebels, troublemakers or even men-haters. I believe that’s how many men around us perceived us during this fight.”
Unnikrishnan Demands Proof of Charges, Cites ‘Class’ in Women’s Issues
Though the AMMA leaders, including Mohanlal, Mammootty and P V Jagadeesh, were unavailable for comment, Unnikrishnan demanded proof of the charges levelled against him and FEFKA. “Our stand on women’s issues recognises the inherent ‘class’ dynamics at play. Issues faced by a female actor are not the same as those of a make-up artist or.