Illusion of Glamourous Malayalam Cinema Falls Apart

On August 19, Justice Hema Committee report was released, which shed light on the dark realities of the Malayalam film industry, stripping away the illusion of glamour often associated with it. The report reveals shocking instances of sexual harassment faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. The committee expressed its shock at the extent of sexual harassment revealed by women in the industry. According to the said report, women actors often endure harassment, such as intoxicated individuals knocking on their hotel room doors. Many victims, fearing repercussions, choose not to report these incidents to the police. The report labels this harassment as the “worst evil” women in the industry face, noting that many are reluctant to speak out, even to close friends or relatives. Those who comply with demands for sexual favours are given code names, while those who resist are often pushed out of the industry

It is in this content that the report opens with the line “The sky is full of mysteries, with the twinkling stars and the beautiful moon. But scientific investigation revealed that the stars do not twinkle, nor does the moon look beautiful. Do not trust what you see; even salt looks like sugar.” The said statement denoted the widespread culture of sexual harassment prevailing in the Malayalam and the fear of retaliation that the women face, underscoring that while the sky may seem full of mysteries with its twinkling stars and beautiful moon, scientific scrutiny reveals that stars don’t actually twinkle, nor is the moon inherently beautiful. Similarly, the film industry, though appearing glamorous on the surface, hides grim truths beneath its veneer. 

The delay in the release of the report and the industry control

The Justice Hema Committee, chaired by retired Kerala High Court Justice K. Hema, was established in 2017 following the kidnapping and assault of an actress, a crime allegedly orchestrated by actor Dileep out of personal vengeance. The actress-victim who has worked in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films was allegedly abducted and molested in her car for two hours by some of the accused, who had forced their way into the vehicle on the night of February 17, 2017 and later escaped in a busy area.

From 2017 to 2019, the committee conducted confidential, on-camera interviews with men and women across various roles in the Malayalam film industry, known as ‘Mollywood.’ To gain firsthand insight into the working conditions for women, committee members also visited the set of the 2019 film Lucifer. Despite the committee’s extensive investigation, the report was delayed by five years before finally being released.

In December 2019, they had submitted the findings to the Kerala Government but the report was not made public for so long. On July 6, 2024, the State Information Commission (SIC) passed an order directing the Kerala government to issue the committee report to RTI applicants before July 2, 2024 after redacting information that could identify individuals mentioned in the report, as prohibited under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. Petitions seeking were the stay of the publication were then moved in the Kerala High Court, which further delayed the publication.

On August 19, 2024 earlier on the day of its publication, the Kerala High Court had dismissed a plea by actor Ranjini, who sought to block the report’s release. The report, now public, unveils disturbing practices within the industry, such as the prevalence of “compromise” and “adjustment,” terms used to pressure women into sexual encounters in exchange for roles. It also highlights the control exerted by a powerful group of 10-15 key individuals in Mollywood, who can effectively blacklist anyone who defies them. The committee found that the experiences of many women in the industry were so traumatic that they hadn’t even shared them with close family members. The report paints a grim picture of an industry plagued by coercion, lack of basic facilities like toilets and changing rooms, and a power structure that stifles dissent. It is essential to note that the report had been published after removing 63 pages from the 295-page document that could compromise individuals’ privacy.

What does the report entail?

Women who came forward to the Justice Hema Committee shared that harassment in the Malayalam film industry often begins at the very first step—when seeking work. . The report underscores that harassment begins as soon as a woman seeks a role in the industry, with insiders perpetuating the idea that successful women are those who are willing to make compromises. Typically, a woman’s entry into the industry is facilitated by a production controller or an insider offering her a role.

The report specifically states that the women who spoke to the Committee highlighted a significant difference between sexual harassment in the film industry and other sectors. As per them, this distinction lies in the fact that an aspiring female actor’s very entry into the profession often hinges on her willingness to comply with sexual demands. This fundamental issue sets the film industry apart, making the harassment within it particularly pervasive and damaging.

A culture of compromise and control: The report provides that the Mollywood industry operates on a system of “compromise” and “adjustment,” where women are often expected to trade sexual favours for roles or career advancement. These terms, familiar to most of the women in the industry, are euphemisms for being expected to be available for sex on demand, as the report reveals. One survivor recounted that this “demand for sex” could come from anyone in the industry—whether an actor, producer, director, or production controller. The report notably refers to this survivor as a “girl,” suggesting that she might have been a minor at the time. The “girl” was told that in order to secure an opportunity in the industry, she too would need to make such “adjustments” and “compromises.” The report further highlights that aspiring female actors are often manipulated into sexual exploitation, being misled into believing that successful women in the industry achieved their status only by agreeing to such demands. Tragically, by the time many women realize they have been trapped, it is often too late to escape.

Unsafe working conditions: The committee also found that women working in the Malayalam film industry are often denied basic amenities like toilets and changing rooms on set, especially during outdoor shoots. Women are forced to find secluded places, like forests or behind bushes, to relieve themselves, sometimes changing under the cover of a cloth held by others. This lack of facilities often leads women to avoid drinking water to prevent the need to relieve themselves, which can cause physical ailments. This issue affects not only actresses but also junior artists and support staff like stylists. Despite the prevalence of these problems, caravans are only provided for the exclusive use of leading actresses.

Closed doors and continuing silence: The report uncovers the deeply ingrained male dominance in the Malayalam film industry, often referred to as a “Boys’ Club.” This culture manifests with late-night gatherings where men discuss scripts and upcoming projects, frequently over drinks. The report shows how these meetings often drift from professional matters into crude jokes with sexual overtones, reflecting the pervasive masculinity within the industry.

The report also emphasises upon the pressure that women within the industry faced, forcing them to keep silent about the harassment they were facing. As per the report, despite their courage, many women were hesitant to reveal their experiences of harassment. Their reluctance stems from two primary fears. First, they worry that speaking out could result in being blacklisted from the industry and subjected to further harassment, as the powerful figures involved are likely to be shielded by their male peers. Second, they fear online harassment, knowing that influential men in the industry might deploy their fan clubs to launch vicious attacks against them, using vulgar language and explicit content to demean and silence them.

Some women even faced threats to their safety or that of their families, contributing to a culture of silence. The report emphasizes that this silence is maintained by a “fear psychosis” fuelled by the power dynamics within the industry. Witnesses reported to that committee that no one dares to challenge these powerful men, as doing so could lead to being labelled a “troublemaker” and losing future work opportunities. The report also highlights an “unwritten rule” in the industry that those who confront misconduct and fight for their rights are often ostracized.

Blatant demands and expectations of sexual favours: As per the report, many women who spoke to the committee revealed that a prevalent attitude among men in the film industry is the assumption that women who agree to perform intimate scenes on screen are equally willing to engage in similar behaviour off-screen. As a result, these men often make blatant sexual demands, showing little hesitation or embarrassment.

Even when women voice their discomfort and reject these advances, the report indicates that the men often persist, promising “more chances” in films as a form of coercion. This predatory behaviour particularly targets newcomers, some of whom, according to the committee, end up being sexually exploited. The committee was also provided with various forms of digital evidence, including audio recordings, video clips, and screenshots of WhatsApp messages, all of which demonstrated how certain individuals in the industry manipulated women into sexual encounters.

Not isolated incidents: The report states that the prevailing culture in Mollywood deters many women for whom working in cinema has been a lifelong passion, a dream finally within reach. However, the exploitation they face has led some to turn down offers they might otherwise have accepted.

The report also negated the claims made by a few men to the committee which stated that women only encounter these issues when they respond to “fake advertisements.” It was the committee’s analysis of the evidence confirmed that sexual harassment occurs even at the hands of “very well-known people in the film industry,” who were named during the proceedings.

Although the report redacted specific details of these instances, it did recount one woman’s traumatic experience on a film set following such an incident. The day after she was harassed, she had to perform scenes with the same man, portraying a married couple embracing each other. Her anger and resentment, a result of the assault, were evident in her expression during filming, leading to seventeen retakes for a single shot. The director criticized her for this, highlighting the emotional toll of such exploitation.

Unsafety during outdoors shoots, forcing women asking parents or relatives to accompany: Women interviewed by the Committee revealed that they often bring parents or relatives to film sets due to the pervasive fear of sexual exploitation. This fear is particularly pronounced during outstation shoots, where accommodations are provided far from home.

The report notes that in many of these hotels, intoxicated men from the film industry frequently knock on the women’s doors late at night. These knocks are not gentle or courteous but rather forceful and persistent, causing the women to fear that the door might eventually give way and that the men would forcibly enter their rooms. This troubling behaviour has made many women feel unsafe staying alone in these accommodations.

Lack of redressal mechanism: The report showed that this enforced silence is not just cultural but structural. The Committee discovered that women have endured harassment since the industry’s inception, yet there has never been a formal grievance redressal system. In rare cases when a woman does report harassment to a producer, the accused actor or director is often retained if they are considered financially valuable, prioritizing profits over justice.

One witness described how, when a woman reports harassment by a director to her colleagues, she is typically advised to stay silent and “compromise” for the sake of the film. In contrast, male superstars, directors, and producers often act without consequence, protected by their status and influence.

The report also recounts a particularly distressing experience of a female actor cast in a lead role. During initial discussions, the director mentioned an intimate scene but withheld specific details despite her repeated inquiries. He assured her that nothing would occur without her consent. However, after three months of preparation, the director revealed that the scene would involve nudity and a kiss, leaving her feeling coerced into performing it. She ultimately walked away from the project without claiming her pay, sending a message to the director expressing her loss of trust. The director then threatened to retain the intimate scenes unless she personally travelled to Kochi. The report underscores the need for a formal redressal mechanism, noting that a written contract could have prevented this situation.

Before the establishment of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), fear kept stories of abuse hidden even among women. The WCC created a confidential WhatsApp group, providing a safe space for women to discuss their concerns and share their experiences of sexual harassment—stories they often felt unable to disclose even to their families. Many women’s families were already hesitant to support their careers in an industry notorious for mistreating women, making the WCC an essential platform for addressing these long-standing issues.

The power nexus and its consequences: The report further points to the existence of a powerful group of producers, directors, and actors who exert significant control over the industry. This group, described as a “criminal gang,” can blacklist or ban individuals who refuse to comply with their demands. As per the report, this group controls the industry with an iron fist, often resorting to blacklisting or banning those who do not conform to their rules. These bans are typically enforced through secret, unwritten agreements, making it difficult for those targeted to seek recourse. The report suggests that even outspoken women in the industry hesitate to reveal their experiences of harassment, fearing that they will be subjected to online harassment or even physical threats.

However, the committee report also acknowledges that not all men in the Malayalam film industry contribute to its negative reputation, and that the evidence suggests that several “highly respectable men” have played a role in creating a safer environment for women. While specific names were redacted in the report, it did mention a cinematographer and a director as examples of those who upheld professional integrity. However, the report also notes that some men attempted to downplay the issue of sexual harassment by arguing that it is not unique to the film industry and occurs in other fields as well. They suggested that the problem in cinema should not be exaggerated. 

Recommendations for Reform

The revelations from the Justice Hema Committee report have triggered widespread concern and discussion, exposing a disturbing culture of exploitation, gender inequality, and abuse of power in the Malayalam film industry. The findings highlight an urgent need for systemic reforms to protect the rights and dignity of women working within this sector.

The committee identified at least 17 different forms of exploitation faced by women across 30 categories of work in the industry. These include sexual demands made toward women trying to enter the field, incidents of sexual harassment, and various forms of abuse and assault. Additionally, the report draws attention to issues related to transportation and accommodation, which further contribute to an unsafe working environment for women.

In response to these findings, the committee has recommended the creation of an independent tribunal to specifically address cases of harassment and exploitation within the industry. This tribunal, to be chaired by a retired district judge, would have the authority to impose penalties on those found guilty of harassment, denial of basic amenities, or other forms of mistreatment. The committee also emphasizes the need for mandatory formal working contracts for all industry personnel, including junior artists, to ensure transparency in payment and working conditions.