This article contains reports of rape and sexual assault
Mollywood, the Malayalam-language film industry in the southern Indian state of Kerala, is under intense scrutiny amid a growing sex abuse scandal involving some of its biggest film stars and industry leaders.
A groundbreaking report on the problems faced by women in Mollywood released last week revealed that “sexual harassment of women is widespread,” shining a spotlight on the underbelly of the film industry.
The report revealed that women in the film industry face numerous problems, including sexual demands, sexual harassment, gender discrimination, lack of workplace safety, inadequate basic amenities and wage disparities.
Since the report of the so-called Hema Committee became public, numerous women have accused male actors and filmmakers of sexual harassment.
The Kerala police have so far registered at least 17 cases involving prominent personalities from the film industry.
“The actors are coming forward to name and expose their tormentors. They are showing courage and telling of their ordeals. More revelations are expected,” a senior police officer told DW, who wished to remain anonymous.
The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) was dissolved after its entire board resigned in light of the report's findings. A new board is to be elected within two months.
Local media widely reported that well-known Mollywood director Ranjith had resigned from his post as chairman of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy, a non-profit organisation promoting Malayalam cinema, following allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra.
Ranjith said he would contest the charges against him.
The industry is struggling with the consequences
The Hema Committee, headed by retired Kerala High Court judge K Hema, was formed in 2017 after an actress was raped in a moving car on her way home from work, sparking outrage in the film fraternity.
Although the committee's findings were published in 2019, numerous legal objections have so far prevented their publication.
The Hema report makes it clear that control of the film industry lies in the hands of a cabal of male producers, directors and actors.
“This is how sexual harassment is normalised in showbiz and this is how a predatory atmosphere is created,” actress Swara Bhaskar said in a statement. “Showbiz is not only patriarchal, it is also feudal in nature.”
“Successful actors, directors and producers are elevated to the status of demigods and everything they do counts,” she added.
Actress Minu Kurian, also known as Minu Muneer, whose statement was recorded by police on Wednesday, told DW she was confident justice would be done.
“Many artists have had bad experiences. Those who do not 'cooperate' with powerful members of the industry have been ostracized,” Kurian told DW.
She filed a complaint against seven people, including a well-known Mollywood actor and Edavela Babu, a former general secretary of AMMA.
“They denied me membership of AMMA because I stood firm,” Kurian added.
“I just hope that the industry comes clean after this flood of accusations from various actors,” Kurian said. “There has to be respect and safe spaces for women, otherwise there is no point.”
Edavela Babu denied the allegations against him.
“I have no enemies and will answer to the authorities,” Babu told DW. “These allegations are baseless.”
Making Mollywood safer for women
Although most Mollywood bigwigs have remained silent on the damning revelations of the Hema report, some have expressed concern about the wider problem of sexual harassment and abuse.
Lead actor Prithviraj Sukumaran said there had been failures on the part of the influential AMMA in addressing complaints raised by actresses and demanded a serious investigation into the issues raised.
“It is important to punish those who have committed sexual abuse. My responsibility does not end with making sure my filming location is safe. It is important that the entire industry is safe for people,” Sukumaran said at a press conference this week.
This is not the first time that the Indian film industry has come under scrutiny. In 2018, Bollywood, the Hindi film industry based in Mumbai, was rocked by a sexual abuse scandal.
The allegations of sexual harassment by Tanushree Dutta, an actress and former Miss India, against Bollywood legend Nana Patekar brought the issue of male domination and exploitation of women in the Indian film industry into focus.
A year earlier, following the 2017 rape incident, 18 women – including actresses, directors, producers and technicians – founded the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) to create a professional space for women in the male-dominated film industry seeking justice.
Following a petition from the WCC, the Government of Kerala agreed to set up the Hema Committee.
“This report calls on the government and the industry to address sexual harassment. I hope it will empower women, raise awareness and create safer spaces for them,” said Vidhu Vincent, filmmaker and former WCC member.
“I hope the results will lead to meaningful change in the film industry and improved accountability.”
Beena Paul, film editor and founding member of the WCC, said there are issues that need to be urgently addressed to make the industry a safer environment for women.
“This is a decades-old industry and changes are needed to create a level playing field,” Paul told DW.
Edited by: Keith Walker
