DailyPost 2896
MALAYALAM FILM INDUSTRY
That reeking amount of muck can remain under wraps for a stinkingly long period of time, with celebrities operating it, in a creative industry, which made waves across the world by its cinematic productions, has left us in shivers as to how far we can live from reality while living in it. The broadly known theory which is floated when such breathtaking revelations are made is even more damning. The whole democratic ecosystem of the elected representatives, government, women commission, and any number of other regulatory agencies and grievance mechanisms could not provide official / legal recognition to this reality, leave aside succor of any kind, is more than enough to hang our heads in shame for good.
When the muck has hit the roof and yet there are no signs of urgency, no timelines, no commitments and no move towards a reliable blueprint to change is intriguing for any right thinking individual. The industry needs to reincarnate itself. Who takes the responsibility to make it happen and what is the credibility of that person, authority or the organization? Hell broke loose on the Malayalam film industry when Justice K. Hema Committee’s Report was made public on 19th of August 2024. This was after persistent all-out efforts made for five years not to allow this report to go public. Was this the only way to get an authentic and validated version of the rampant wrongdoings in this industry, calling the running system audacious is an understatement.
The committee was formed in the aftermath of an infamous sexual assault case in 2017 of a popular actress. The assault was the brainchild of another renowned member of the same fraternity. After painstaking and meticulous work, the report was submitted in Dec. 2019. It lays threadbare the Malayalam film industry for the world to see. All this has also been made possible because of the humongous, courageous and legally tenable legwork done by Women in Cinema Collective, WCC. At crossroads today, its doyens and office bearers of AMMA have fled the scene, they have resigned.
The 290 page report of which 55 pages have been redacted reveals the existence of an all-male power group of 15 top industry figures including directors, producers and actors. “The group determined who would stay in the industry and who would be cast in films”. It is referred to as a power group, but the detailing gives the feel of a mafia. The committee has identified at least 17 forms of exploitation experienced by women working in 30 different categories within this now infamous industry. The report has exposed in totality the pervasive sexual exploitation and rights violation against women in the Malayalam film industry. SIT has been constituted to conduct an inquiry into the findings based on complaints. 17 cases have already been registered. Conclusive justice for victims needs to be ensured in a time bound manner. The Malayalam film industry needs to reboot with dignity.
WHAT A WAY TO ABROGATE POWER, WHICH CAN EVEN PUT MAFIAS TO SHAME, HAS BEEN THE STORY OF THE NOW EXPOSED MALAYALAM FILM INDUSTRY.
Sanjay Sahay
Have a nice evening.