The recent release of the Justice Hema Committee report has sent shockwaves through the Kerala film industry and beyond. The comprehensive investigation into the working conditions and experiences of women in the industry has uncovered a disturbing reality of widespread sexual exploitation, harassment, and other forms of abuse. The report’s findings, which were submitted to the Kerala government in 2019 but only recently made public, have sparked widespread outrage and calls for urgent action.
The committee, headed by retired High Court judge Justice Hema Commission, was formed in the aftermath of the 2017 sexual assault of a prominent actress in Kerala. The investigation delved into the experiences of women working in various roles within the film industry, including actors, technicians, and support staff. The report’s findings are both harrowing and deeply disturbing, painting a picture of a system that is rife with exploitation and abuse.
One of the most shocking revelations in the report is the prevalence of the casting couch. Many women reported being subjected to sexual demands in exchange for roles or opportunities in the industry. The report also highlighted instances of sexual harassment, including unwanted physical contact, verbal abuse, and threats. Additionally, the committee found that women in the industry often faced long working hours, poor working conditions, and a lack of basic amenities.
Beyond sexual harassment and abuse, the report also exposed a range of other exploitative practices faced by women in the film industry. These included:
- Excessive working hours: Many women reported being forced to work for extended periods, often without adequate breaks or rest.
- Dangerous working conditions: Some women described working in unsafe environments, such as on sets that were not properly secured or in locations that were exposed to extreme weather conditions.
- Lack of basic amenities: Many women reported a lack of access to basic facilities, such as clean toilets, drinking water, and comfortable rest areas.
- Unfair wages: Some women reported being paid significantly less than their male counterparts for the same work, and many were not paid at all.
The report also exposed a culture of fear and intimidation within the industry, with many women reporting that they were afraid to come forward with complaints due to the potential consequences. The committee found that there was a lack of adequate mechanisms in place to protect women from harassment and abuse, and that the existing complaint mechanisms were often ineffective.
The release of the Justice Hema Committee report has sparked widespread public outrage and calls for action. Many have criticized the industry for its failure to address the issue of sexual exploitation and harassment. The report has also raised questions about the role of the government in protecting the rights of workers in the film industry.
In response to the report, the Kerala government has announced plans to implement a series of measures to address the issues raised. These measures include the establishment of a dedicated women’s commission for the film industry, the strengthening of existing complaint mechanisms, and the introduction of stricter penalties for perpetrators of sexual harassment and abuse.
However, many argue that these measures are not enough and that more fundamental changes are needed to address the systemic issues that contribute to the exploitation of women in the film industry. Some have called for a complete overhaul of the industry’s power dynamics, with a focus on empowering women and promoting gender equality.
The Justice Hema Committee report has exposed a dark side of the Kerala film industry that has long been hidden from public view. The revelations in the report are a stark reminder of the challenges faced by women in many industries, and they serve as a call to action for both the industry and the government to take decisive steps to address these issues. As the industry grapples with the fallout from the report, it is clear that significant changes will be required to create a more equitable and safe working environment for women.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Coverpage’s editorial stance
