Hema Committee report: Writer Kanika Dhillon says people across industries take note and retrospect | Filmymeet

The recently released report by the Justice K. Hema Committee on sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry has ignited widespread discussions and actions, not only in Kerala but also across other film industries in India. The report, published on August 19, has brought to light the deep-seated issues of gender bias and exploitation within the industry.The ensuing outrage has led to significant developments, including an announcement by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan that the state government is working towards establishing a comprehensive cinema law aimed at ensuring the safety of women.
Kanika Dhillon, a prominent screenwriter known for her work on projects like ‘Kedarnath,’ ‘Manmarziyaan’, ‘Guilty’ has weighed in on the report’s implications. In an interview with News18 Showsha, Kanika highlighted the importance of addressing malpractices and gender bias across all industries. She stated, “Whenever focus is drawn to the malpractices and prejudices against women in any industry, it definitely makes people across industries take note and retrospect.”

Dhillon praised the Hema Committee Report for shedding light on the challenges and injustices faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. She emphasized that such reports are crucial in initiating change. “Kudos to the Hema Committee Report for putting the spotlight on the plight and malpractices that women have been subjected to! Only when the focus and the spotlight will be directed to these issues, will the change begin to improve the work environment and professional spaces for women across industries,” she added.

Amid ongoing discussions, Parvathy Thiruvothu, a prominent supporter of women’s rights in the film industry and one of the founding members of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), has openly condemned the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) for their collective resignation from the committee. Speaking with journalist Barkha Dutt, Parvathy did not mince words, describing the resignation move as an act of cowardice. Although she stopped short of mentioning any specific names, her remarks were widely interpreted as a veiled criticism of key figures in the industry, particularly actor Mohanlal.
Parvathy argued that the collective resignation was an attempt to evade responsibility and accountability, further exacerbating the issues faced by women in the industry.
The report’s impact has also been felt in the Bangla film industry, where the Women’s Forum for Screen Workers has issued a charter of demands to reinforce the dignity and safety of women in the workplace. This charter, which has already been signed by 50 actors and technicians, reflects a growing recognition of the need for systemic change across various regional film industries.