What Is Hema Committee? Mollywood Controversy And Report

The report of the Justice Hema Committee sparked significant controversy not only within the Malayalam film industry but also led to calls for similar investigations in other film industries. The shocking examples of sexual abuse faced by women in the Malayalam film industry raise serious questions about creating a safe workplace for women in India.

The Hema Committee report was released after a delay of five years and has had a deep impact on the Malayalam film world, highlighting serious issues like sexual abuse, casting couch practices, pay disparity, and other challenges faced by women in the industry. 

Origins of the Hema Committee:

The Hema Committee was formed in response to a well-known actress being sexually harassed in a car in 2017. In February 2017, the Kerala government established the Justice Hema Committee after a horrifying incident where a prominent Malayalam actress was kidnapped, sexually assaulted, and recorded.

There are allegations that emerged that actor Dileep was involved in staging the assault as revenge and was also a member of ( the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists) AMMA. This incident led to the formation of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), which petitioned the government to investigate the broader issues faced by women in the industry.

Leaders Of Hema Committee:

The Hema committee, led by 

• Retired Justice K. Hema,
• Former actress Sharada,
• Retired IAS officer K.B. Valsala Kumari.

Delay Of Hema Committee:

In this case, the Hema Committee report was submitted to the government on December 31, 2019. However, it was not made public until August 19, 2024. The delay was attributed to the need to edit sensitive information to avoid harming the industry.

Hema Committee Report Key Findings:

The Justice Hema Committee Report revealed disturbing realities within the Malayalam film industry, including widespread sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination, and poor working conditions, particularly for women. It described the industry as male-dominated and compared it to a "Boys’ Club."

The Hema Committee report identified 17 forms of exploitation faced by women in various roles within the industry. Several notable figures, including actors and directors, were accused of sexual harassment and misconduct. 

Sexual Favors Faced By Actress:

The Hema Committee report revealed that women often had to make “adjustments” or sexual favors to secure or maintain their positions, describing a pervasive culture where women are pressured into compromising situations.

Additionally, the report criticized the effectiveness of Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) in addressing grudges, highlighting that many women fear speaking out due to potential professional repercussions. 

It also discovered cases where women were subjected to unwanted physical advances and denied basic facilities like safe changing rooms on set.

Reactions For Hema Committee:

In response to the Hema Committee report, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate the allegations of sexual harassment. The Kerala High Court has ordered the state government to submit the full report in a sealed envelope, and around 17 cases have been filed against major figures in the industry.

The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), a key industry body, was disbanded on August 27, 2024, and its president, Mohanlal, along with other members, resigned amid the scandal. Actor Siddique, who was accused of sexual assault, also stepped down from his position.

Hema Committee Controversies:

Even though the proceeding moving forward for the Hema committee, there are some controversies and backslashes faced by the actress. People contemplate believing the statement made by the actress and some insensible comments made about their virtues and values just because they are actresses.

Mohanlal and the members of AMMA faced criticism for disbanding the association. In response, actress Parvathy openly criticized Mohanlal as a 'cowardly act' for withdrawing and this gained support from fellow actresses for making bold statements against a huge star.

In recent years, the Malayalam Film Industry has gained huge attention from Indian audiences for giving good content and strong roles for a woman in their movies. So this news about the Malayalam film Industry contradicts the idea of their movies shocks the fans and raises questions about the industry.

The revelations in the Hema Committee report have led to demands for similar investigations in other film industries. Actress Radhika Sarathkumar has claimed that such issues are not limited to Malayalam cinema but are prevalent in Tamil and Telugu films as well.