Hema Committee Report: Who Is Hema? All You Need To Know About The Issue In Kerala Film Industry

Who Is Hema In Hema Committee Report: The ongoing power dynamics and sexual exploitation allegations in the Malayalam cinema has taken the entire nation by storm. Several female actresses and junior artists have been making shocking revelations about the horrid tales of their 'casting couch' experiences, sexual harassment and discrimination in the Kerala film industry. They have accused Malayalam director Baburaj, actor Siddique, Mukesh, Jayasurya, Maniyanpilla Raju, Edavela Babu, Thulasidas and CPI-M MLA Vichu Mukesh of sexual harassment and misconduct.

What Is Hema Committee Report?

What is the Hema Committee Report actually? Back in 2017, the Hema Committee was formed to investigate the sexual harassment, exploitations and gender inequality cases against female actors in the Malayalam film industry. This came after a popular Malayalam actress had alleged abduction and sexual assault on her in Kochi.

Soon after this, the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), which comprised female actresses, producers, directors and technicians, was formed. Demanding an in-depth inquiry, the WCC submitted a petition to the Keara Chief Minister.

Who Is Hema In Hema Committee Report?

The 'Hema' in the Hema Committee report is actually the retired justice K. Hema. The Hema Committee Report, which was formed in 2017 comprising retired High Court Justice K. Hema, former Malayalam actress Sharada, and retired IAS officer K.B. Valsala Kumari, released a 233-page report on August 19, 2024.

Hema Committee Report: Who Are Involved? Check The Allegations

After the report was released, a junior artist, on condition of anonymity, came forward and had accused actor-director Baburaj of rape. She also accused Baburaj, the Joint Secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Actors (AMMA), of verbally abusing and sexually assaulting her. Another actress has accused senior Malayalam actor Siddiqui of raping her at an young age.

Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra recently accused Malayalam film director and chairman of the state-run Kerala Chalachitra Academy, Ranjith, of sexually harassing her during the auditions for his 2009 film Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha. ActressMinu Muneer has also levelled accusation of "physically and verbally" abusing her against her co-actors Mukesh, Maniyanpilla Raju, Idavela Babu and Jayasurya.