The move comes in the wake of the Justice Hema Committee Report and demands from the Telugu and Kannada film industries to ensure safety of women at workplaces.
Published Sep 06, 2024 | 1:13 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 06, 2024 | 1:13 PM
Manchu Vishnu. (X)
Telugu actor and (Movie Artists Association) MAA president Manchu Vishnu on Friday, 6 September, announced on his social media handle that he has requested the Telangana government to establish a commission aimed at ensuring the safety and representation of women in the Telugu film industry.
The move comes in the wake of the Justice Hema Committee Report and demands from the Telugu industry to release the report of the sub-committee formed in 2019, which tackled sexual harassment and gender discrimination in the industry.
Noting that he met with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, Vishnu wrote on X: “Ensuring a secure environment for all, both in front of and behind the camera, is our priority. MAA is committed to continuous improvement and welcomes suggestions from industry stakeholders to make our industry a benchmark for safety and empowerment.”
Similarly, Kannada actor and former MP Sumalatha noted that she plans to send a letter to the central government to advocate for stricter protections for women in the film industry.
Sumalatha voiced her concerns about the unpleasant experiences faced by women in the Malayalam film industry, noting that many women had privately confided in her about harassment and pressure to cooperate for opportunities.
She emphasised that power groups exist in every film industry and political sphere, not just in Malayalam cinema. She called for a constitutional body similar to a censor board to enforce laws for women’s safety in the film industry.
The former MP also praised the Women in Cinema Collective for encouraging women to speak out.
She further expressed respect for the courage of women who have come forward, stating that although she hasn’t witnessed such incidents, she has heard disturbing accounts, such as harassment in hotel rooms or inappropriate behaviour on sets.
She stressed that creating a safe environment for women is a shared responsibility and that this issue is not limited to the Malayalam industry but affects all film industries in the country.
As President of MAA, I have formally requested the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Deputy CM, and Cinematography Minister of Telangana to establish a commission aimed at enhancing the safety and representation of women in the Telugu Film Industry. Ensuring a secure environment for all,…
— Vishnu Manchu (@iVishnuManchu) September 5, 2024
Following the Hema Committee report, over 150 film professionals have called on the Karnataka government to establish a committee led by a retired judge to address sexual harassment in the Kannada film industry.
In a letter dated 4 September, the celebrities urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to investigate the systemic issues affecting women in Kannada cinema. The letter was sent on behalf of the Film Industry for Rights and Equality (FIRE), a collective advocating for a safer work environment.
Sandalwood celebrities, including actors Kichcha Sudeep and Ramya, signed the letter. It highlighted the need for a detailed inquiry into the rampant sexual harassment in the Kannada film industry.
The Telangana government, led by the then chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao, constituted a high-level committee in April 2019. The panel comprised actors and technicians from the Telugu film industry, police officials, and retired government officers. It formed a sub-committee to gather detailed information on the issues and also come up with recommendations and legal recourse.
However, the report hasn’t been released yet. Recently, taking a cue from the WCC, Telugu women actors and directors have been urging the Telangana government for the past few days to release the report.
The Justice Hema Commission report on the issues faced by women in the Malayalam film industry was made public on 19 August, five years after it was submitted to the Kerala government.
The publication of the Justice K Hema Committee report on harassment and abuse in the Malayalam film industry has opened a can of worms with several female actors stepping forward with disturbing accounts of the mistreatment they faced at the hands of their various male counterparts.
The Kerala government constituted the Justice Hema Committee after the 2017 actress assault case and its report revealed instances of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry.
(Edited by Y Krishna Jyothi)
