The much-awaited Justice Hema Committee report on harassment faced by women in the Malayalam cinema industry has recorded explosive accounts of harassment, exploitation and ill-treatment of female professionals, and has alleged that a "criminal gang" was controlling the industry where unyielding women are squeezed out. The panel report also alleged there was a "power nexus" consisting of a handful of producers, directors, actors and production controllers. The Kerala government constituted the panel after the 2017 actress assault case involving actor Dileep to study issues of sexual harassment and gender inequality in Malayalam cinema.
The report released on Monday sheds light on the widespread and persistent sexual harassment faced by women in the Malayalam cinema industry, with many alleging they were subjected to unwanted advances even before commencing work. The women actors who are ready to compromise are given code names, and those who are not ready to yield are pushed out of the field, as per the report. The report highlighted the widespread nature of the issue, sparking concerns about the safety and well-being of women in the industry.
"It has come out in evidence that certain men in cinema, who are well-known and well-reputed for their ability as artist, director or whoever he be in the film industry have shocked certain women in cinema by sexual harassment and physical advances made by them towards them," the expert panel report said. A copy of the report was given .