While the Kerala government assured action against the culprits mentioned in the report, the Thilakan siblings sought justice for their late father.
Published Aug 21, 2024 | 3:57 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 22, 2024 | 5:49 PM
Justice Hema Committee Report: Strong reactions pour in from government and actors. (X)
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has addressed the shocking findings in the Justice Hema Committee Report on the Malayalam film industry.
In a media briefing on 20 August, he assured that “appropriate action” would be taken against all accused individuals. “If anyone who testified before the Hema Commission comes forward with complaints, appropriate action will be taken. Regardless of their status, everyone will be held accountable under the law,” he said, as quoted by ANI.
The government established a three-member commission in 2017, led by retired Justice K Hema and including former bureaucrat KB Valsalakumari and veteran actor Sharada, following the sexual assault of a female actor.
The report, submitted in 2019 and now public, addresses issues such as sexual harassment, inadequate facilities like women’s toilets and changing rooms, pay disparity, and gender discrimination.
One disturbing revelation in the report involves an actor having to perform a hugging scene with an actor who previously assaulted her. Portraying the man’s wife, she struggled through 17 retakes, causing frustration for the director.
The report notes that continuing to work with the same actor was deeply distressing for her, reflecting her emotional turmoil.
The Justice Hema Committee Report also challenges the belief that women enter cinema for glamour and will tolerate any situation. It argues against the misconception that women sacrifice their integrity for fame and opportunities, emphasising that many pursue their craft out of genuine passion.
Saji Cherian, Minister for Fisheries, Culture and Youth Affairs, announced that the recommendations from the Hema Committee would be implemented soon. He acknowledged reviewing only the recommendations so far and planned to read the full report once available.
Saji Cherian explained that the report’s delay was due to advice from the Right to Information Commission, not government negligence, and noted he had not received any complaints from actresses during his tenure.
The Minister assured that appropriate legal action would be taken as needed, emphasising that the government encourages reporting complaints against dominant groups, with prompt action guaranteed. He also confirmed that a cinema conclave would be held within two months to implement the committee’s recommendations.
The report, initially scheduled for release on 24 July, was delayed by a Kerala High Court order following a plea from a Malayalam film producer. The High Court dismissed the plea on 13 August and instructed the government to release the report within a week. It was postponed again after actor Ranjini filed a plea in the High Court which, however, dismissed the petition.
Shammi Thilakan with his late actor-father Thilakan. (Instagram)
Prominent actor Shammi Thilakan revealed that the “well-known actor” mentioned in the Justice Hema Committee report, who was banned by a powerful 15-member group in the Malayalam film industry, was his late actor-father Thilakan.
According to a report by The New Indian Express, Shammi Thilakan disclosed that KB Ganesh Kumar, the president of the Association of Malayalam Television Media Artists (ATMA) at the time, was the one who officially banned Thilakan from appearing in television serials, as noted in the report.
The Justice Hema Committee Report described an influential group within the film industry as a “mafia sangham” that wielded significant control. Despite being one of the industry’s most talented actors, Thilakan was marginalised by the coordinated actions of this group, which forced him to leave the film industry and turn to television serials.
However, even in the television industry, Thilakan was cornered by the same powerful lobby. The report mentioned that the ATMA president during that period was also a film actor.
Shammi Thilakan alleged that Ganesh Kumar, who is currently the Transport Minister of Kerala, has been the ATMA president since its inception and consistently supported the 15-member group in banning Thilakan from both films and serials.
Additionally, he accused a prominent actor of insulting Thilakan during a meeting of the AMMA and demanding that he leave the meeting.
Malayalam actor Sonia Thilakan. (Supplied)
Even as the Justice Hema Committee Report exposed the casting couch and the discrimination against female actors in the Malayalam film industry, Sonia Thilakan, the daughter of the late veteran actor Thilakan, lashed out at the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA).
Addressing the media on 20 August, the actor highlighted the issues faced by her father. Sonia Thilakan echoed the same sentiment as revealed by the Justice Hema Committee in its report, stating that the 15-member power group in Malayalam cinema is very influential.
Sonia Thilakan accused the 15-member group in the Malayalam film industry of having a hidden agenda and targeting her late father like “mafia gangsters”. She added that she could have revealed the names of the members of the Hema Committee decided to do so. “The names will come out one day.”
The Malayalam actor also alleged that after her father’s death, a leading actor claimed to feel guilty about the way he treated Thilakan. However, she claimed that he misbehaved with her later. “If someone like me, who is part of the industry, has to face such issues, you can imagine the situation of leading heroines and other female actors,” she averred.
Further, Sonia Thilakan found fault with AMMA General Secretary Siddique for not responding properly after the publication of the Justice Hema Committee Report. “An association that was so quick to oust my father did not properly respond or take action based on the report. This alone exposes their hypocrisy.”
Sonia Thilakan called for the dissolution of the actors’ organisation and urged action against those responsible for a casting couch.
“I only know what my father told me. He disclosed the issues in the film industry only in 2010. While the dispute with my father was going on, a meeting of the organisation was held with about 62 gangsters being stationed outside. My father called it a ‘mafia’. But nobody took it seriously. According to the bylaws of this organisation, such matters should remain confidential but my father chose to speak out,” she recalled.
Sonia Thilakan added, “I’m not afraid of filmmakers. I’ve seen them since childhood; they were like family. They used to discuss personal matters with my father. But when this issue arose, they all united against him. What should have been quietly resolved escalated into something much bigger? Is this organisation meant to expel people and protect oppressors?”
The actor noted that there have been several instances of people being dismissed over trivial matters due to fragile egos.
Actor Tanushree Dutta. (X)
Bollywood actor Tanushree Dutta, who led the #MeToo movement in 2018, criticised the committees and reports saying, “I don’t understand these committees and reports. They seem useless. Why did it take seven years to produce a report on events from 2017?”
She also expressed frustration with how female actors are viewed. “(Female) actors are often seen as morally corrupt rather than as human beings, reflecting a primitive mindset that denies them dignity. We have the right to dignity and to protest. They use their male ego to diminish us and portray us as a nuisance.”
Tanushree Dutta continued, “A safe workplace is a fundamental right for everyone. I have no faith in these committees or the system. It feels like they’re just wasting our time instead of addressing real issues.”
Regarding Dileep’s continued work despite allegations and Parvathy Thiruvothu’s struggle for opportunities despite her advocacy against sexual discrimination, Tanushree Dutta remarked, “It’s bizarre and shows a lack of compassion. Women are expected to conform, stay silent, and not complain. If something serious happens, we’re expected to accept it as our fate without making a fuss.”
During the promotion of his upcoming movie Ajayante Randam Moshanam, Tovino Thomas said he was not aware of the complete details mentioned in the Justice Hema Committee Report. But the actor asserted that if anyone resorted to discrimination or sexual abuse against women, they should be punished. “There is no second thought about it. Strict action needs to be taken against the culprits.”
Kriti Shetty, who is sharing the screen with Tovino Thomas in Ajayante Randam Moshanam, felt that it’s a very Black-and-White situation. “What is wrong is wrong. It’s truly unfortunate but the more we talk about it, the more awareness we create. This is a dire need to bring about a change.”
Meanwhile, renowned filmmaker Anjali Menon, who is also a founding member of WCC, stated that the report was the first step in dismantling unfavourable power structures within the industry. “This opens an opportunity to clean things up and move to a more equal progressive space.”
Telugu actor-producer Lakshmi Manchu observed that “life was not being fair to women” in the film industry. Citing an experience, she said, “I’ve been pushed over, but I stood my ground. I might lose a few (things), but I know I’m gaining for the person who’s coming after me. Stand up for yourself,” she was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.
Further, Lakshmi Manchu pointed out that every voice matters. “The whole MeToo movement happened with one woman deciding that she has had enough. The one voice resounded with millions and gave voice and sound to millions and they were able to come out and speak for themselves. That is the power of standing up,” she added.
(Edited by Y Krishna Jyothi)
(Updated with latest information.)
