“This is the voice of women and it must be heard!” This powerful message resonated across social media following the Kerala government’s release of the K. Hema Committee report, which addresses the troubling issues faced by women in the Malayalam film industry, on August 19, 2024. This 235-page report has ignited a political uproar in the State, exposing shocking tales of sexual exploitation, illegal bans, discrimination, substance abuse, wage disparity, and inhumane working conditions in this multi-crore industry.
For the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), this moment marks a significant milestone in their ongoing struggle for justice and equality for women seeking a dignified professional space in the film industry. The committee, consisting of three members and led by a former judge of the Kerala High Court, was established in July 2017 following a petition to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan advocating for an inquiry into the challenges faced by women in cinema. Although the committee submitted its findings on December 31, 2019, the report’s release was delayed due to its sensitive nature.
The WCC emerged in response to a tragic incident involving the abduction and sexual assault of a woman actor in Kochi on February 17, 2017. Shocked by this act of violence, a group of 18 prominent women, including technicians, writers, and actors, united to support the survivor and advocate for justice.
The investigation led by the Special Investigation Team of the Kerala Police culminated in the arrest of a well-known Malayalam actor on July 10, 2017, for his alleged involvement in the crime. He was released on bail after 85 days in custody, amid widespread public discourse about the industry’s response to such incidents.
The WCC believes that this incident and the subsequent reactions highlight the pervasive patriarchal structures within the film industry, shedding light on the numerous challenges survivors encounter while pursuing justice. Just months after the assault, the WCC was formally established on May 18, 2017, and officially registered on November 1, 2017, with the mission to ensure equal opportunities and safe working environments for women in cinema.
Combatting Discrimination
The collective’s objectives center around fostering a safe and equitable work environment for women in the film industry, advocating for policy changes, and raising awareness about gender-based exploitation. With a volunteer-driven approach, the WCC operates in a collaborative manner where various teams manage day-to-day affairs, policy development, and engage with legal experts on women’s workplace rights. Membership is open to individuals over 18 with at least three film credits in the Malayalam film industry, who are referred by current members.
Initially, the WCC focused on addressing sexual harassment in the industry. In response to attacks on the survivor, the collective launched the counter-campaign #Avalkoppam (With her), drawing inspiration from the global #MeToo movement that gained traction in 2017.
Insights from the Hema Committee report on the Malayalam film industry
Despite potential career repercussions, four members of the WCC, including the survivor, resigned from their positions within the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes in June 2018. This decision was a protest against the reinstatement of the actor accused in the abduction and sexual assault case. The resignation, involving prominent figures such as Rima Kallingal and Remya Nambeesan, underscored the collective’s commitment to standing by the survivor and challenging a leadership that they felt prioritized the accused over the victim.
The WCC’s bold actions against patriarchal structures have not been without cost. The Hema Committee report affirmed that WCC members faced significant professional setbacks, as they were systematically excluded from opportunities in retaliation for speaking out against injustices within the industry. Some industry insiders dismissed their claims, suggesting that changes in prominence are common among actresses over time. Meanwhile, the WCC has been criticized as a group that operates mainly from social media rather than effecting real change.
Unyielding Advocacy
In a significant legal victory, the Kerala High Court, on March 17, 2022, mandated that film production houses establish internal complaints committees in compliance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act. This ruling, based on a petition filed by the WCC, recognized that every film unit constitutes an establishment that must adhere to these regulations, further enforcing the rights of women in the industry.
The WCC has broadened its scope by initiating various independent projects, such as a partnership with the Sakhi Women’s Resource Centre to produce the report ‘Shift Focus: Women Shaping the Narrative in Media and Entertainment.’ This report aims to develop guidelines for establishing gender-balanced professional environments within the film industry. The collective is also working on creating a network of counselors to assist women facing challenges in their careers and is collecting data regarding women’s participation in the industry to address issues of inclusion and disparity. Over the past seven years, the WCC has become a formidable platform amplifying the thousands of untold stories of women in cinema.
