As the dark underbelly of sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry stands exposed with the Hema Committee report and fresh allegations of sexual abuse, women artistes say the “uprising" was needed and is a “wake-up call for every workplace". While actor-politician Khushboo Sundar urged women to “speak up in time", actor Maala Parvathi said that it is time for the realisation that women artistes “don’t need godfathers", and that “giving a woman a job is not a favour on her".
Sundar, a former member of the National Commission for Women (NCW), who has also worked across several languages, said, “We needed this uprising. Such incidents happen in every industry; why is the focus only on the film industry? Why not the IT industry, medical, media, government jobs? It happens everywhere, and it should be reported as soon as it happens. If one compromises, for whatever reason, then you lose the power to speak about it later. Speak up when somebody misbehaves with you then and there. There shouldn’t be fear of not getting a job. Speaking up after 20 years is not effective."
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In the aftermath of an assault case on an actress involving actor Dileep in 2017, the Kerala government had appointed a panel to study issues of sexual harassment and gender inequality. The Justice K Hema Committee in its report recorded explosive accounts of harassment, exploitation and ill-treatment of female professionals in the film industry and alleged that a “criminal gang" is controlling the industry where unyielding women are squeezed out.
So far, 10 Malayalam film veterans, including actors and directors, have been named by various women artistes, accusing them of sexual assault and mental trauma leading to denial of work because they did not comply with their “sexual" requests.
Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) president Mohanlal, along with the entire executive committee, resigned from their positions on Tuesday, citing “moral responsibility" in light of the allegations. In their media statement, the now-dissolved AMMA committee said: “Following the release of the Hema Committee report and the subsequent sexual allegations faced by certain office-bearers within the executive committee of AMMA in social, visual, and print media, the current executive committee of AMMA, taking into consideration its moral responsibility, is stepping down. We thank you for your criticism and correction," it stated.
ALLEGATIONS BY SREELEKHA MITRA, MINU MUNEER CAUSED A STIR
The issue snowballed when Bengali actor Sreelekha Mitra filed a complaint with the Kochi city police commissioner against director Ranjith for trying to forcibly touch her with sexual intent. She recalled the 2009 incident in Kochi, where she alleged that Ranjith invited her to act in the film, Palerimanikkam, and, as part of the discussion, called her to his flat in Kaloor-Kadavanthra, Kochi.
“It was during the course of the discussion of the script that he forcibly clutched my hand. He tried to force his hands over other parts of my body with sexual intention. When I realised it was not the movie on his mind and that I had to escape from the flat, I rushed out and returned to my hotel," Mitra said in her complaint. After the complaint was filed, Ranjith, who had held the position of Chairman of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy, resigned.
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This was soon followed by actor Minu Muneer’s sexual abuse revelations on social media against seven prominent figures in the Malayalam film industry, including actor-politician Mukesh, actor Jayasurya, Maniyanpilla Raju and Idavela Babu, as well as lawyer V. S. Chandrasekharan, production controller Noble, and casting director Vichu.
When asked why she chose to open up now, Muneer said that with the strong backing from the government and concerned friends, she felt it was time to “rip the bandage". She alleged that Jayasurya “hugged her from behind" and “kissed without consent" on set. She also alleged that Maniyanpilla Raju repeatedly attempted to enter her hotel room uninvited, while Noble misbehaved with her during a car ride.
“I feel strong enough now. I know the government and the police will stand with me. When truth is told, there is no fear. Nobody took our complaints seriously when we raised them at that time. Now, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) established by the Kerala government to investigate these allegations has begun their work, and soon you will see how these so-called stalwarts will stand in the court of law," the actor said.
JUST THE TIP OF ICEBERG, SAYS MUNEER
“Amma means mother, and one should feel safe, secure, and loved. This AMMA was a web of deceit, one that was used to trap young artistes, trying to force them using power and influence. The resignation of all members shows how deep the rot is," Muneer told News18.
“As AMMA, they should have taken some stern decisions; they did not. They were useless as a committee, but now we are waiting for the police to investigate," she said.
Muneer, who awaits the team of investigating officers to take her statement on the cases that she has filed, said, “This is just the tip of the iceberg. Now you will watch the abusers crumble one by one. We have endured a lot through the years, but we have now decided to stand up and fight. This fight is real, and we will not stop until justice is served."
“I have been receiving calls from people saying that I should be careful, that I am taking on big names. I am not at all scared. I know the truth, and we will stand by it."
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In the wake of Muneer’s revelations, several other actors have come forward with their own accounts of abuse. Senior actor Siddique, who had been serving as the general secretary of AMMA, also resigned following allegations of sexual abuse made by actor Revathy Sampath. Meanwhile, a junior artiste accused actor Baburaj of sexual assault. Baburaj was also a part of AMMA.
Sampath recounted how, when she told the senior actor that she would go public with his misbehaviour, he countered: “Who is going to believe you? Does anybody know you? Have you even acted in one film? People admire my work and won’t believe a word you say."
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FACED A SITUATION BUT HANDLED IT; PROUD OF WCC: KHUSBHOO SUNDAR
Sharing her experience with a producer in the Tamil film industry who sent feelers to her when she was a young, budding actor, Khushboo Sundar said she put an end to it with an aggressive stance. “I told him to stop, pulled out my chappal, and said it was size 41 and would land on him if he pursued. I asked him if he wanted it on his face in my dressing room or in front of the set," she recalled, adding that it did not stop her from getting films or making a career.
She added that she was proud of the seven women from the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) who sought the intervention of the Kerala High Court to protect women from sexual harassment in Malayalam film production units. “Somebody needed to bell the cat. I am so happy the seven-member women of WCC stood together and were able to do so. We are so proud of it."
MORE WOMEN COULD HAVE BEEN SAVED IF HEMA REPORT WAS MADE PUBLIC EARLIER: REVATHI
Three-time national award winner and actor Revathi also came out in support of the Hema Committee report, which was commissioned by the Kerala government and took 233 pages to expose the extensive exploitation and harassment that women professionals face within the Malayalam film industry.
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Revathi, one of the founders of the WCC, has been vocal in advocating for a safer industry for women. She said she faced discrimination because she supported women’s issues. “I faced discrimination even from some of my colleagues for supporting women’s causes. This discrimination caused me pain and shock," Revathi said to the media, adding that many women could have been saved if the Hema report had been made public earlier.
GIVING A WOMAN A JOB IS NOT A FAVOUR: MAALA PARVATHI
Parvathi spoke of how shocked the industry is as the can of worms opens. “How deep does this rot go? To what extent does this go? Hundreds of incidents have been brushed under the carpet. But now, with the Hema Committee report and those who are speaking up, we are going to see a change. People are now listening to us, talking about safety, and finally sitting up and seriously paying attention," said the senior actor.
She hopes that other film industries will also take a cue from the Kerala story and spark a new wave for change. “The resignation of AMMA members is an acknowledgment that there are issues and that things need to be set right," Parvathi said.
“Giving a woman a job is not a favour, but something that is earned because she is talented and has the flair for the job. We will fight, we will do auditions, prove our mettle, and get what we deserve. We don’t need a godfather to give us work. We can stand on our own feet and showcase our work brilliantly," she said, summing up her feelings about the revelations being dubbed as the industry’s #MeToo campaign.
Disclaimer: As per legal and ethical guidelines, we generally refrain from naming victims in cases of sexual harassment or assault. The inclusion of the name in this article is based on the fact that the individual has publicly identified themselves in connection with the case. We respect the privacy and dignity of all individuals involved and urge readers to approach the matter sensitively.
