The Justice K Hema Committee report, released on August 19, highlights severe issues in the Malayalam film industry. It describes the industry as being controlled by a ‘mafia’ of top actors, directors and producers, making it difficult for women actors who face significant challenges at work. The 235-page report claims that anyone who files complaints is marginalised and suffers as a result. The panel was formed by the Kerala government after the 2017 assault case involving actor Dileep to address sexual harassment and gender inequality. Bollywood actress Tanushree Dutta has now criticised the report, calling it ‘useless’. Justice Hema Committee Report Exposes Sexual Exploitation of Women in Malayalam Film Industry; Kerala Opposition Demands Police Probe.

Tanushree Dutta, a prominent figure in India’s #MeToo movement, made headlines in 2018 when she accused actor Nana Patekar of sexual misconduct on the set of Horn Ok Pleassss. In an interview with News18, she criticised the Hema Committee’s findings and expressed frustration over the long delay. The Aashiq Banaya Aapne fame actress questioned the value of the report, remarking, “These committees and reports, I don’t understand them. I think they’re useless. It took them seven years to make a report on what happened in 2017?”

Tanushree Dutta references the Vishakha Committee (formerly known as the Women’s Grievances Committee), which was established to address and prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. She questions the purpose of the new report, suggesting that it should have been sufficient to arrest the accused and enforce effective legal measures. She recalls that the Vishakha Committee issued numerous guidelines and lengthy reports, but she notes that nothing substantial changed afterward. She remarks that the names of these committees frequently change, but their effectiveness remains in question.

Tanushree Dutta also added, “People like Nana and Dileep are narcissistic psychopaths. There’s no cure for them. Only a vicious and vengeful man can do what they did. I don’t care about these committees. I have no trust in this system. It feels like with these reports and committees, they’re just wasting our time rather than doing the real work. Having a safe workplace is a basic right for a woman—or any human being, for that matter.” ‘Malayalam Film Industry Ruled by Mafia’: Justice K Hema Committee’s Report Exposes Abuse, Casting Couch, and Discrimination Against Women.

When discussing Dileep’s continued work despite the allegations and Parvathy Thiruvothu’s struggles to secure opportunities despite her advocacy against sexual discrimination, Tanushree Dutta remarks, “That’s the weirdest thing. There’s no compassion. When it comes to actresses, male actors are prejudiced. They look down on their female counterparts as second-class citizens. You’re supposed to stay in line, behave a certain way, not open your mouth too much, and not complain about anything. If something really bad happens, we’re supposed to accept it as our fate without making a big issue out of it.”

On August 20, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said the state government is seriously considering the Justice Hema Committee’s recommendations, which include establishing a tribunal and creating a comprehensive Cinema Law.

Women and Child Helpline Numbers:

Childline India – 1098; Missing Child and Women – 1094; Women’s Helpline – 181; National Commission for Women Helpline – 112; National Commission for Women Helpline Against Violence – 7827170170; Police Women and Senior Citizen Helpline – 1091/1291.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 21, 2024 10:04 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).