New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 21 (PTI) Occasionally in the open and most times whispered as innuendo, the exploitation of women in the entertainment industry is under a welcome, much needed spotlight with a report on Malayalam cinema, say insiders across the country, hoping for change but not really expecting it anytime soon. The Justice Hema Committee report, perhaps the first such for any film industry in India, details the power nexus in the Malayalam cinema industry and lays bare the multiple levels of exploitation faced by women in it. Though the 233-page report was released this week, the Kerala government appointed panel to study issues of sexual harassment and gender inequality was constituted after the 2017 actress assault case involving actor Dileep.
The chronicle of the Malayalam industry – the report was pending for five years -- through the prism of women has shocked many. However, several prominent stakeholders, including in the Hindi film industry, were reluctant to speak on an issue they admitted underscored the vulnerability of women and their perilous work conditions. "It is very scary to hear what happened in the Malayalam industry.
It is completely unacceptable. I appeal to all female artists that nothing is more important than safety and dignity," actor Abhishek Banerjee told PTI. The “Stree-2” and “Pataal Lok” actor, who is also a casting director, said he would often hear stories about the casting couch when he started out.
And that is why.