Kerala Government Releases Redacted Hema Committee Report on Women’s Exploitation in Malayalam Cinema

The Kerala government has unveiled the Justice K Hema Committee report on women's working conditions in Malayalam cinema, with 63 pages redacted. The report uncovers harassment, casting couches, and lack of basic facilities for women on sets, leading to immediate calls for reforms.

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], August 19: The Kerala government has released the Justice K Hema Committee report scrutinizing the working conditions of women in the Malayalam film industry. Out of the original 295-page document, 63 pages were redacted before its release under the RTI Act.

The report draws from testimonies of 51 industry professionals and reveals alarming instances of exploitation, including the widespread existence of casting couches and deplorable working conditions. Women are coerced into making 'adjustments' and 'compromises'—terms often signifying sexual favors—at the very outset of their careers to secure roles.

Additionally, the Committee found that women are deprived of basic human rights on sets, such as access to toilets and changing rooms, particularly during outdoor shoots. Female professionals often resort to finding secluded areas to urinate or change, with no access to water or other facilities. These findings underline the urgent need for reforms to safeguard women in the industry.

(With inputs from agencies.)