NEW DELHI: The Kerala government on Monday released Justice K Hema Committee report which revealed troubling aspects of Malayalam film industry including casting couch and sexual exploitation faced by women. However, parts of the 295-page report were redacted prior to its release under the RTI Act.
Based on testimonies from 51 industry professionals, the report reveals that women are often asked to make “adjustments” and “compromises“—euphemisms for sexual favors—to secure roles.
“According to women in cinema, harassment starts from the very inception. It is revealed from the statements of various witnesses who were examined before the committee that the production controller or whoever gives an offer for a role in cinema first approaches the woman/girl or if it is the other way and a woman -approaches any person in cinema seeking a chance in cinema, she is told that she has to make “adjustments” and “compromise” to take her in cinema,” the report said
“Compromise and adjustment are two terms which are very familiar among women in the Malayalam film industry and by doing so, they are asked to make themselves available for sex on demand,” it added.
The report also revealed the poor working conditions of women as they are denied basic human rights, such as access to toilets and changing rooms, even on sets. Women often have to find secluded spots to change or use the bathroom during outdoor shoots, with no access to water or basic facilities.
“Almost all the women who were examined before the Committee stated that there is no toilet facility or changing room on the set, especially while shooting is done in many outdoor locations, which will be in remote places,” the report said.
What is being done now is, the women themselves will find some space in a nearby interior place, like a forest or behind bushes or a fat tree, to pass urine while on an outdoor shoot. At times, some cloth is being held by one or two persons to help the other change dress or to pass urine. No water will also be available at the site,” it added.
The Hema Committee was established in response to a 2017 sexual assault case involving an actor and submitted its findings to the chief cinister on December 31, 2019.
Based on testimonies from 51 industry professionals, the report reveals that women are often asked to make “adjustments” and “compromises“—euphemisms for sexual favors—to secure roles.
“According to women in cinema, harassment starts from the very inception. It is revealed from the statements of various witnesses who were examined before the committee that the production controller or whoever gives an offer for a role in cinema first approaches the woman/girl or if it is the other way and a woman -approaches any person in cinema seeking a chance in cinema, she is told that she has to make “adjustments” and “compromise” to take her in cinema,” the report said
“Compromise and adjustment are two terms which are very familiar among women in the Malayalam film industry and by doing so, they are asked to make themselves available for sex on demand,” it added.
The report also revealed the poor working conditions of women as they are denied basic human rights, such as access to toilets and changing rooms, even on sets. Women often have to find secluded spots to change or use the bathroom during outdoor shoots, with no access to water or basic facilities.
“Almost all the women who were examined before the Committee stated that there is no toilet facility or changing room on the set, especially while shooting is done in many outdoor locations, which will be in remote places,” the report said.
What is being done now is, the women themselves will find some space in a nearby interior place, like a forest or behind bushes or a fat tree, to pass urine while on an outdoor shoot. At times, some cloth is being held by one or two persons to help the other change dress or to pass urine. No water will also be available at the site,” it added.
The Hema Committee was established in response to a 2017 sexual assault case involving an actor and submitted its findings to the chief cinister on December 31, 2019.