In February 2017, an actress from the Malayalam film industry was sexually harassed in a moving car. Actor Dileep’s name came up behind this incident, after which many people started raising their voice against the mistreatment of women in the Malayalam film industry. After this incident, the government formed the Hema Committee. This committee submitted its report to the government in December 2019, which has now come out after 5 years. There have been many shocking revelations in this report, which have shaken the Malayalam film industry. Let us know what is this Hema Committee report which is in the headlines these days. 10 big things revealed from the Hema Committee report 1) Sexual harassment is the biggest problem
The biggest problem of women in the industry is sexual harassment. Many times women are afraid to talk openly about it. They feel that if they open their mouth, they will be banned in the industry and no one will give them work. Even many women artists were hesitant to say anything in front of the committee. 2) Many big names of the industry are also involved in harassment
According to the women, harassment starts from a very early level. From the director, producer to the production controller, everyone is involved in it. If a woman approaches the production controller or any person for work, she is told about sexual favours. Adjustment and compromise are very common words among women in the Malayalam film industry. Based on the evidence given by the female artists, it had to be believed that the big people of the industry are also involved in this. 3) Bad image of the industry created in front of newcomers
The image of the Malayalam film industry has been created in such a way that if newcomers want to make a place here, they will have to give sexual favours, whereas this is not the case. There are many directors-producers who treat women very well or take great care of their safety on the set. Many female artists named those people in front of the committee who give a lot of respect to women in the workplace. 4) Men openly demand sex
Most of the male artists in the Malayalam film industry think that if women are comfortable giving intimate scenes in films, then they will be ready to do so off set as well. Because of this, men in the industry openly demand sex from women. Many women showed evidence of this by showing video clips, audio clips, screenshots and WhatsApp messages. Women stressed on this issue and said that this situation should end in cinema. 5) Men said – Sexual harassment happens everywhere
Many men said in front of the committee that sexual harassment is not only prevalent in the film industry but it happens in every field. This issue is presented in an exaggerated manner in the field of cinema. However, women completely rejected this in front of the committee. They said that sexual harassment is quite different in any other field and cinema. Casting couch completely changes the criteria of getting a job in the film industry, whereas this does not happen in other jobs. 6) Men knock on the door at night
Many women told that whenever they stay in a hotel with other colleagues for work, men knock on the door of their room at night. Many times it has also happened that if the door is not opened, the men knock so hard that the door breaks. 7) Women are talked about in code words
Women are talked about in code words. If a woman does not compromise, then forget about the work. The report also tells that the industry feels that women have come here only to become famous or to earn money. To do this, they can go to any extent. They will even agree to sleep. 8) They are not allowed to go to the toilet
Women artists do not get even the basic facility of toilet during outdoor shooting. The production unit also does not give a break to go to the toilet because it wastes time in coming and going. Many female artists told in the report that due to lack of toilet facilities on the sets, they drink less water, due to which they are later surrounded by infections and many diseases. During periods, they are not able to change sanitary pads for hours. Big stars have toilet facilities in vanity vans on the sets, but junior artists are not allowed to use these vans. There is only a thin curtain to change clothes on the sets. 9) Men rule the industry
The report says that the entire film industry is male dominated. Some producers, directors and actors rule the entire industry. If anyone dares to open his mouth against them, then threats start coming. The lobby of powerful people is so strong that people call them mafia. They can do anything in the film industry. If they want, they can ban any actor, director or producer without any solid reason. If any woman or man tries to raise voice against this powerful lobby, then he or she can even be fired from the industry. 10) Fees not paid if there is no written contract
Written contracts are not made in the Malayalam film industry. Producers make written contracts only with big actors. Many times, after getting the work done, producers refuse to pay the fixed fees to the crew members. The situation of women is even worse in terms of fees. A female artist told the committee that she was playing the lead role in a film. During the discussion, she was informed that there were intimate scenes in the film, but not much was revealed. After three months of preparation, when she started shooting for the film, the director told her about nudity and liplock scenes in the film. She was pressured to do kissing scenes and back exposure. When the female artist left the film, she did not have any written contract on the basis of which she could claim her fees. What happened after the Hema Committee report came out? Dainik Bhaskar spoke to Tanushree Dutta, Ahana Kumara and Sona Mohapatra who shared their views on the #MeToo campaign.
Tanushree said about the #MeToo movement, “After this I have seen a change. Petty predators who harass girls have become cautious now. They are afraid that the girl may be recording it and the matter may reach the police. However, the really dirty people who have more power still have their ego. The law will have to be made strict for them so that they get punished.” The career of the accused in #MeToo was not affected.
Sona Mohapatra said, “After the #MeToo movement, work opportunities stopped for us. Anu Malik is being made a judge again and again. Sajid Khan also came on Bigg Boss. A man like him, who has done wrong to so many women, is still roaming freely. The director of the film ‘Queen’, Vikas Bahl, is working in films again. These people started working again and those who told the truth were silenced by calling them ‘trouble makers’.
