Hema Committee exposes asymmetry of power in Kerala movie Industry: Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], August 28 (ANI): In the wake of the Justice Hema Committee report and sexual harassment allegations faced by some members of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) executive committee, Former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that the Hema Committee exposes the asymmetry of power in Kerala’s movie Industry and misuse by a few actors of that power to exploit vulnerable women actors.

In a post on X, he shared, “Women anywhere in India have a right to work in safe and non-exploitative workplaces, whatever profession they pursue – scientist to diver to actress to soldier to doctor to nurse – That is every woman’s fundamental right. In the last 10 years, women empowerment and safety in India has progressed considerably including the Women Reservation Bill.”

He further shared that a lot still needs to be done.

“Male predators continue to torment women as Kolkota rape and the recent Hema Committee report show. Hema Committee exposes the Asymmetry of power in the Kerala movie Industry and the misuse by a few actors of that power to exploit vulnerable women actors. This must be investigated quickly, transparently and fairly under law and those guilty should not be spared. This must not be allowed to be brushed under the carpet,” he shared.

He further hit out at Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) and said that it failed to create a safe working environment and to protect women.

“I am an unabashed admirer and supporter of Malayalam movie industry But this needs to be said about AMMA – the Association of Movie Artistes – it was your responsibility and you had the power – to create a safe working environment and to protect women – you failed to do that! that is simply unforgivable,” he further added.

Earlier, actor Mohanlal resigned as the president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). All executive members have also resigned. Mohanlal wrote to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan informing him about the decision.

After the release of the Hema Committee report, a section of AMMA members demanded that those facing sexual harassment allegations should resign from key positions.

They said that those facing allegations should not delay sending their resignation and that their continued stay was not in the interest of the association.

More female actors have come forward with their complaints and allegations in the wake of the Hema Committee report which revealed discrimination and harassment of women in the Malayalam film industry. The government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the hardships faced by women in the industry.

Kerala Police said that the Special Investigation Team held a meeting at the police headquarters on Tuesday.”The SIT has been strengthened by including additional women officers. All related cases registered at local police stations are to be handed over to the SIT for further investigation,” a Kerala Police release said.

On August 26, Malayalam film actor Minu Muneer made sexual harassment allegations against some of her co-stars in the Malayalam film industry. Minu accused actors M Mukesh, Jayasurya, Maniyanpilla Raju, and Idavela Babu of subjecting her to verbal and physical abuse in the process of filming movies.

The allegations came a day after the resignation of director Ranjith and actor Siddique from their positions in AMMA following accusations made against them. Earlier this month, a redacted version of the Justice Hema Committee report on harassment faced by women in the Malayalam cinema industry was made public. It contained shocking accounts alleging harassment, exploitation, and ill-treatment of women professionals.