Malayalam Film Industry Safety: Shashi Tharoor criticises Kerala govt

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala): Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday criticised the "utterly shameful" and "shocking" delay by the Kerala government in taking action on the Hema Commission report, which addresses issues within the Malayalam film industry.

"It's utterly shameful and shocking that the government sat on this report for nearly five years and now, under duress, they've had to release it. They're simply not willing to face the consequences. It seems to me that it is absolutely indispensable that action be taken. The state government ought to be ashamed of itself," Tharoor said.

The Thiruvananthapuram MP pointed out that the Malayalam film industry has a nationwide and worldwide reputation, with very well-known directors and artists and a highly respected industry. He said it was "unforgivable" to see such an industry tarnished in this way, having created an unsafe working environment for women and perpetuating it through acts of intimidation, blackmail.

"How can such a state allow this to happen?"... Tharoor asked stating that "This is not what Kerala is supposed to be all about."

Further he said that "it takes a lot for a woman to come and give a complaint, and those women who have come and given a complaint have taken, in very many ways, their own reputation and their own careers into their hands, but they've done so because they believe it's important that these facts be aired..."

The Congress MP said that the Hema Commission report needs full airing, full discussion, and to be acted upon and it doesn't matter which influential heads are going to have to roll or which people are going to have their reputations affected by this.

The Justice Hema Committee report on harassment faced by women in the Malayalam cinema industry released on August 19 has recorded shocking accounts of harassment, exploitation and ill-treatment of women professionals.

The 235-page report, published after redacting the names of the witnesses as well as the accused, notes that the Malayalam film industry is under the clutches of about 10 to 15 male producers, directors and actors who are in the forefront and control the industry.

The committee's report confirms the rumoured existence of the practice of "casting couch" in the industry. It is based on testimonies from 51 industry professionals and reveals shocking details about the exploitation of women, including the existence of casting couches and poor working conditions. It states that harassment begins at the outset, with women being asked to make "adjustments" and "compromises"-euphemisms for sexual favours-to secure roles.

The Committee also found that women are denied basic human rights, such as access to toilets and changing rooms, even on sets. Women often have to find secluded spots to change or use the bathroom during outdoor shoots, with no access to water or basic facilities.

The Hema Committee was formed in response to a 2017 sexual assault case involving an actor and submitted its report to the Chief Minister on December 31, 2019. The report's findings highlight the need for urgent reforms to protect women in the Malayalam film industry.

(ANI)