A group of prominent Telugu actors and filmmakers, including Samantha Ruth Prabhu, have joined forces to demand a report on sexual harassment in the Telugu Film Industry (TFI). Inspired by the Justice Hema Committee Report, which unveiled shocking instances of sexual abuse in the Malayalam film industry, they are urging the Telangana government to release a similar report for the TFI.
In a statement titled ‘Voice of Women in TFI,’ shared by several actresses on their social media platforms, the group expressed support for the Hema Committee Report and applauded the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) in Kerala for their efforts in bringing the issue to light. The statement also highlighted the creation of ‘The Voice of Women,’ a support group for women in the TFI, formed in 2019.
The statement explicitly calls on the Telangana government to publish the submitted subcommittee report on sexual harassment in the TFI. They believe that this report could be instrumental in shaping government and industry policies to create a safer working environment for women.
The Hema Committee Report, spanning 235 pages, detailed numerous allegations of sexual abuse by male actors in the Malayalam film industry. The report identified a dominant group of 10-15 male producers, directors, and actors who control the industry. The report’s release led to several female actors coming forward with complaints against their male counterparts, resulting in FIRs against prominent figures like actor-politician Mukesh, Sidhique, Jayasurya, Maniyanpilla Raju, Idavela Babu, and director Ranjith. The committee was formed by the Kerala government following the 2017 actress assault case and its findings revealed a widespread culture of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam film industry.
The demand for a similar report in the Telugu film industry reflects a growing awareness of the need to address sexual harassment in the entertainment industry across India. The initiative by prominent Telugu actors demonstrates their commitment to creating a safer and more equitable environment for women in their industry.
