Neena Gupta Speaks Out On Hema Committee’s Findings: ‘It Will Take Hundreds Of Years For Change’

The Justice Hema Committee report, released in August 2024 by the Kerala government, brought to light the widespread discrimination and exploitation faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. Speaking with NDTV about the report, Neena Gupta shared her candid and critical perspective.

The actress expressed her doubts about the impact of the report, saying, “I’m sorry, I’m going to be very pessimistic about it. I don’t think it will happen in our country. You make committees, you do whatever, but it is very sad. Women safety bahut mushkil hai. Committee bana lo par raat ko akele jaana hai, bus mein jaana hai, kya karoge? Ek ek ladki ke sath koi doge? (Women’s safety is very difficult. Make committees but women have to travel alone at night, ride in buses alone. What will you do? Will you give someone to every girl?).”

She further elaborated, “Kitni aurtein hai iss country mei. Maine bhi socha volunteer karungi, mei khud dekhungi. Par kya dekhungi? Mei khud safe nahi huun. Mujhe bahut takleef hai aur main bahut sad hun ke women safety measures ho nahi paa rahe. Jab tak humari society nahi badlegi tab tak nahi hoga. Usko badalne mei saikdo saal lag jayenge. (There are so many women in this country. I also thought I would volunteer, I would see myself. But, what will I see? I am not safe myself. I am very hurt and I am very sad that women’s safety measures are not working. Until our society doesn’t change, it will not happen. And it will take hundreds of years to bring that change).”

The Justice Hema Committee report highlights serious issues within the film industry, including the prevalence of the casting couch, lack of basic facilities on sets, pay disparities, and the ostracism faced by those who resist exploitation. The Kerala government set up the three-member committee in July 2017, with former Kerala High Court judge K. Hema, retired IAS officer K.B. Valsalakumari, and renowned actor T. Sarada leading the investigation. The report was released following approval by the Kerala High Court, which ensured that sensitive names and personal details were redacted to protect those who came forward with their experiences.