We only see film industry is full of colors but no one sees the struggles faced by the people behind it. Like "a blooming flower that catches the eye, its roots may struggle in the shadows of unseen hardships." Recently we have been seeing struggles faced by women in several industries brought to light, but some factors remain unchanged in the film industry even after many attempts. To address the issues faced by women in the film industry, the Kerala government formed a Hema committee. The committee was formed to dig deep into the brutal facts in the Malayalam film industry and also investigate the challenges faced by women. The committee marked a pivotal moment in addressing the harsh reality of the Malayalam film industry. As a result of their hard work, the committee released the report exposing the harsh reality of sexual harassment, lack of basic facilities for women in the workplace, gender bias, and the rude behavior that women have to endure to survive in the industry. This report not only highlights the pressing issues but also underscores the urgent need for structural changes to ensure a safe and equitable working environment for women in cinema. From the absence of toilets on film sets to the widespread demand for sexual favors in exchange for opportunities, the report sheds light on the darker side of an industry celebrated for its creativity and art. Let us look into the complete details in this article.
How did it start?
17-02-2017: A group of men abducted a famous actor in the Malayalam film industry and sexually assaulted her in the moving car and later dropped her at the actor& director Lal's house. One of 10 men who tried to abduct her pulsar suni was found as the primary suspect.
19-02-2017: as the actress filed a case police arrested 3 out of 10 men from the group.
23-02-2017: Pulsar Suni, vijeesh surrendered before the additional chief judicial magistrate. Police started investigating the case as they saw some conspiracy.
26-02-2017: Kerala Chief Minister claimed there was no conspiracy in the case and closed it.
18-04-2017: Case again opened and police filed a Charge sheet.
The case struck and justice was not served to the actress so to protect the actress's respect and expose the facts in the industry WCC (Women in Cinema Collective) was formed. Artists from different backgrounds and technicians gathered together to address the gender disparity, and abuse that is happening in the film industry.
18-05-2017: WCC members met Kerala CM seeking an investigation
23-06-2017: Police reopened the following case and kept Jinson, PulsaSuni's fellow inmate at Kakkand sub-jail.
24-06-2017: Pulsar Suni wrote a letter to actor Dileep which brought a major change in the entire case.
10-07-2017: Special Investigation Team arrested actor Dileep.
14 July 2017: Justice Hema committee formed. The committee consists of 3 main members which later expanded into a group. The committee consists of former High Court Judge K.Hema, veteran actor T. Sarada, and Retired IAS officer KB Valsala Kumari.
1-10-2017: WCC was officially registered as a society under the Societal Registration Act. It was the first-ever initiative for women in the industry.
12-12-2017: The first meeting was held in Thiruvananthapuram.
18-04-2018: WCC members, actress Padma Priya and editor Beena Paul protested alleging a lack of progress in the committee.
2017-2019: The committee took 2 years to gather all the information and collected solid proof from the people in the industry including technicians, producers, directors artists by conducting interviews, and meetings.
31-Dec-2019: The committee submitted the report of 1500 pages to the court relieving all the brutal and harsh facts from the Malayalam film industry. The report includes various audio and video clips including pen drives and photos as evidence. However, the report was not released by the government due to various privacy concerns.
11-01-2020: several people included in the report applied for the RTI Act seeking a copy of the report however the application was rejected by the State Public Information Officer(SPIO) The release of the report again got delayed due to Covid-19.
12-02-2022: the government decided not to reveal the identities of several people and also to make some changes in the report so the people won't be affected.
16-01-2022: WCC members met Kerala Women's Commission chief P. Seethadevi to demand the release of the report.
5-07-2024: SIC directs SPIO to reasonably disseminate information in the report ensuring it does not compromise the privacy of individuals.
24-07-2024: report again put on hold by Kerala High Court as it considers a plea moved by Malayalam film producers.
13-08-2024: The high court dismissed the plea and promised the people that they would be releasing the report soon.
19-08-2024: the report finally released. The release of the Hema Committee report marks a significant turning point in the Malayalam film industry, shedding light on the long-standing struggles faced by women behind the scenes.
From issues of sexual harassment to the lack of basic facilities, the findings reveal a grim reality that contrasts sharply with the industry's vibrant facade. The formation of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) and the subsequent investigation underscore the determination of industry professionals to confront gender disparity and advocate for a safer, more equitable working environment. As the report finally sees the light of day, it serves not only as a call to action for reform but also as a reminder of the resilience of those who continue to fight for justice. Moving forward, the industry must embrace structural changes to protect and empower women, ensuring that the artistry celebrated on screen is not overshadowed by the harsh realities off-screen. The journey toward equality and respect in cinema is far from over, but this moment represents hope for a brighter future.