The Justice K Hema committee report on working conditions for women in the Malayalam film industry has reignited a long-standing debate about the safety of female artists in the film industry. The report, based on testimonies from 51 industry professionals, unveiled a disturbing reality: women are subjected to demands for sexual favors in the guise of ‘compromise and adjustments’. This revelation has sparked outrage and reactions from numerous Malayalam film artists, including Revathy and Ranjini.
Adding her voice to the chorus of concern, Bollywood actress Tanushree Dutta has expressed her frustration with the report’s findings. Known for her active role in the #MeToo movement, Dutta believes these reports are ultimately futile. “These committees and reports, I don’t understand them. I think they’re useless. It took them seven years to make a report on what happened in 2017?” she questioned in an interview with News18 Showsha.
Dutta, who accused Bollywood actor Nana Patekar of sexual misconduct on the set of ‘Horn OK Pleassss’, underscores the need for immediate action rather than endless paperwork. Following the report’s release, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced the development of a comprehensive cinema law to ensure women’s safety. While Dutta welcomes this initiative, she remains skeptical of its effectiveness. “All this is just talk. Action is needed. Who even follows all this paperwork? Even if they come up with a comprehensive cinema law, those who want to break the law will still break it. These predators are all mentally ill. They aren’t in their right minds, yet they manage to find support among other crazy and psychotic people,” she asserted.
Dutta’s remarks highlight the urgency for a systemic shift in addressing sexual harassment and exploitation within the film industry. Her strong stance against perpetrators and their enablers, along with her call for concrete action, underscores the need to move beyond mere reports and towards creating a safer and more equitable environment for women in the film industry.
