No legal action but Rs 1 crore for Film Policy: Kerala government’s response to Hema Committee Report

Despite the report’s findings, the Kerala Police have ruled out legal action, citing the lack of specific details such as involved individuals or exact incidents.

South First Desk

Published Aug 20, 2024 | 11:55 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 20, 2024 | 11:55 AM

Hema committee report. (iStock)

Following the release of the Hema Committee report, on Monday, 19 August, on challenges faced by women in the Malayalam film industry, the Kerala government has allocated ₹1 crore to establish a consultancy for film policy formulation.

Proposed by the Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC) and swiftly approved, this move aims to address industry issues.

However, despite the report’s findings, the Kerala Police have ruled out legal action, citing the lack of specific details such as involved individuals or exact incidents.

The 233-page report is released after redacting certain portions that reveal the personal information of actors. The complete version of the report is shifted to the police headquarters’ secret section, limiting its public and legal impact.

The consultancy represents a commitment to reform by the cultural department, but the lack of legal follow-up has sparked criticism regarding the effectiveness of such measures.

Also Read: ‘Casting couch, compromise’: Hema Commission report exposes harassment

Adjustments and compromise

The report said that female actors are usually expected to grant sexual favours to the insiders.

The controller or whoever gives an offer for a role in the cinema first approaches the woman (girl in some cases) or if it is the other way around, a woman approaches any person in cinema seeking a chance, she is told that she has to make “adjustments” and “compromise” to make her way into the cinema, the report said.

“Compromise” and “adjustment” are two terms that are very familiar among women in the Malayalam film industry and, they are asked to make themselves available for sex on demand.

The report also sheds light on the troubling challenges faced by women in the Malayalam film industry.

Recommendations for improvement

According to sources, the commission has made several significant recommendations aimed at improving the working conditions for women on film sets.

• Ensuring Equal Opportunities: The report emphasises the need for inclusivity, urging that no one in the industry should be excluded or marginalised.
• Addressing Discrimination: It highlights the severe discrimination that women often face on film sets, calling for immediate action to address this issue.
• Ban on Alcohol and Drugs: A strong recommendation has been made to strictly prohibit the use of alcohol and drugs on film sets to create a safer working environment.
• Safety and Accommodation: The report stresses the importance of providing safe accommodation and travel facilities for women working in the industry, holding producers accountable for these arrangements.
• Background Checks for Staff: It is advised that individuals with criminal backgrounds should not be employed, particularly as drivers, to ensure the safety of women on set.
• Respectful Treatment and Equal Pay: The report underscores the need for women to be treated with respect, free from vulgar language, and should receive equal pay for their work.
• Casting Couch: The report openly acknowledges the existence of the casting couch in Malayalam cinema, a harsh reality that has long plagued the industry.
• Criminal Influence: It also suggests that criminals hold significant sway over the Malayalam film industry, exacerbating the issues faced by women.
• Sexual Exploitation: The report details widespread sexual exploitation, with directors and producers often pressuring women into compromising situations.
• Coercion in the Industry: Disturbing testimonies reveal that women are frequently coerced into compromising their integrity to secure opportunities, with those who comply being derogatorily labelled as “cooperating artists”.

The Committee was formed, after the 2017 actress assault case involving actor Dileep, to study issues of sexual harassment and gender inequality in Malayalam cinema.

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