The K Hema Committee report, which addresses the challenges faced by women in the Malayalam film industry, was finally published on Monday, five years after being submitted to the Kerala government. The report exposed alarming accounts of sexual exploitation, unlawful bans, discrimination, substance abuse, wage inequality, and, in some instances, deplorable working conditions. Minister Saji Cherian announced that the recommendations from the Hema Committee report would be implemented soon. He admitted that he had only reviewed the recommendations and would read the full report once he received it. He also clarified that the government should not be blamed for the delay in publishing the Hema Committee report, as the Right to Information Commission had advised against making it public. The minister mentioned that during his three and a half years in office, he had not received any complaints from actresses.
Organisations like the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) have highlighted certain issues, leading to the decision to organise a film conclave within the next two months. The conclave will thoroughly discuss the challenges and potential solutions in the film and television industries. The minister also stated that representatives from all areas of cinema would be invited to participate in the conclave.
Saji Cherian said that the government places a high priority on women’s safety and will not compromise on security measures. Appropriate legal action will be taken as necessary. The government has actively intervened in the film industry. In every sector, there exists a dominant group, and the minister encouraged individuals to report any complaints against them, assuring that action will be taken promptly. He also confirmed that a cinema conclave would be organised within two months, during which the recommendations of the Hema Committee report will be implemented.
The report, originally scheduled for release on July 24, was delayed by an order from the Kerala High Court following a plea by a Malayalam film producer. The High Court later dismissed the plea on August 13 and instructed the government to make the report public within a week.
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