The gender question in films becomes a serious issue in Kerala threatening to spread to other parts of India.
From Thiruvananthapuram in Southern tip of the country to Kolkata in Eastern part the ripples of the Justice Hema Committee report on gender issues in Malayalam films are being felt. With Bengali actor, Sreelekha Mitra, accusing the Kerala Chalachitra Academy Chairman and Malayalam film director Ranjit of inappropriate behavior resulting in his resignation, what began as a storm in Malayalam film tea cup threaten to blast across States. There are already demands of similar study in other State cinemas filed to examine the gender issues.
The Kerala government appointed Justice Hema , senior actress Sharda and retired women IAS officer to enquire into gender issues in Malayalam films, following the infamous molestation case of an actress in a car, alleged planned by an actor. Following the public outcry, the government under press pressure from Women in Cinema Collective, a group of film professionals, appointed the committee. The report was submitted in 2019, but kept under wraps, following the sensitive nature of the contents.
However following activists approaching courts to get it publicized the Kerala High Court allowed its publication, minus the names mentioned in the report and has rightly opened up a Pandora’s Box of atrocities on women working in the film field. But no one thought there will be an allegation of a “casting Couch” effort by Chalachitra Academy Chairman himself, by a leading lady of Bengal cinema. Many junior artists and have opened alleged their bad experiences and put the Association of Malayalam Artists (AMMA) a powerful body of film actors under the mat. Though they pleaded innocence, one lady artist has implicated its ex- Secretary and difference of opinion on the response from senior members has come into light. Going by the media report, it is worst season for predators in cinema filed, worst than what they faced during the “me “too, season.
Kerala government has planned a conclave of all stakeholders to find a way out the situation. But there is call for strict action against those perpetrators who are being named by the survivors, including that of the Chalachitra Academy Chairman. For Malayalam films it is period of internal strife. For sure the routine predators in the film sets will have a difficult time as the government agencies and social groups have put their surveillance on the film sets, which is being identified as the main play ground of gender offenders.
High lights from the Report:
Findings:
“Sexual demands made to women for the very entry into cinema and getting chance to work in the cinema. Sexual harassment abuse, assault again women, at workplace, transportation, place of accommodation etc.. Torture of women if they express their resentment or unwillingness on sexual demands. Violation of human rights of women in cinema by not providing basic facilities like toilets and changing room on the sets. Lack of safety, security in cinema, in accommodation, transportation etc. Unauthorized and illegal banning of individuals working in cinema in different categories Silencing of women under threat of ban from work in cinema. Male domination in the industry, gender bias, gender discrimination. Gross indiscipline in cinema –consumption of alcohol &, use of drugs, disorderly conduct / misbehavior at work place. Making of demeaning and vulgar comments at workplace, over phone etc. Non-execution of contract in writing between employers and employees, to suit individual requirements. Failure. to pay even consented remuneration. Disparity of remuneration between man and woman and gender discrimination In remuneration. Resistance/reluctance to allow women into cinema especially on technical side and lack of opportunity Online harassment (cyber-attack). Lack or legal awareness of women about their own rights. Absence of any legally constituted authority to redress the grievances.
The report went on to observe that :”From the evidence adduced before the Committee, we find that women are denied even basic human rights in Malayalam film industry, by not providing adequate facilities like toilets and changing rooms, on shooting locations. Almost all the women who were examined before the Committee stated that there is no toilet facility or changing room on the set, especially while shooting is done in many outdoor locations, which will be in remote places.
During menstrual periods, the women in cinema face a being in a position to use water or other facility even to change or dispose of sanitary napkins, it is pointed out. It is also stated before us that woman in cinema or forced to hold back urge for urination for a very long time.
This was also brought to the notice of many members of AMMA. Discussion was also held at the meeting of AMMA relating to toilet problems. They expected AMMA to take necessary action to make available toilets, through the producers’ association. But nothing was done so far, and human rights violation continues.
We are convinced that women suffer considerably, mentally and physically due to non-availability of toilets and changing rooms on the set.
“Compromise” and “adjustment” are two terms which are very familiar among women in Malayalam film industry and the by, they are asked to make herself available for sex on demand.
Many women in cinema stated before us that after WCC was formed, they found a forum where they could safely disclose instances of sexual harassment which they have gone through. Till then, they were all keeping to themselves, all their experiences and suffering the brunt that they have gone through, not being able to disclose it even to family members since their parents were reluctant to send them to cinema because of the bad name for the film industry.
Another witness stated before the committee that there may also women who would be willing to adjust to the demands and she herself has seen certain mothers who are conniving at the situation and believe that there is nothing wrong in it
Some of the witnesses also produced certain video clips, audio clips, screenshots of WhatsApp messages etc., to establish the fact that there is demand for sex for the very entry into cinema and that certain people in the industry persuade them to make themselves available for sex.
If a person thinks that a woman is a problem-maker, she will not be called to the cinema again. Therefore, women who are passionate of acting will be suffering all the atrocities, silently. To a question put by the Committee to this witness whether other women in cinema had same experience, she said may be they have, but they are scared to state their problems openly.
It is brought to the notice or the committee that a prominent actor in Malayalam cinema referred to the powerful lobby which exists in film industry as “mafia” in cinema, since they could do anything in cinema, according to their whims and fancies and even ban very prominent directors, producers, actors or any other person even though such ban is illegal and unauthorized.
We have absolutely no hesitation to state that there must be an independent forum which must be constituted by the government1 as per a statute, to deal with the problems of Women in cinema.
As per evidence adduced before the committee, both oral and documentary, certain actors in cinema (some of them are also producers, distributors, exhibitor or directors) — all male– gained enormous fame and wealth and they are in full control the whole Malayalam ‘film” industry now. Many men in the industry stated before us emphatically that many individuals were banned from cinema that includes even famous actors.
According to members of WCC that many men have openly stated to them that the members of WCC will not be allowed to work in cinema. None dares to take the members of WCC in Cinema since they openly spoke about various things which are not to the liking of many in the industry. Instead of taking members of WCC in a movie, they go for other women who are available. Certain Other Producers are scared to take members of WCC, since they believe that by choosing them, they would be offending powerful film actors of AM MA.
The Hema committee report also came down heavily on the unions in film industry and their arbitrary involvements in filmmaking.
It is the policy of the union not to allow any person who is not a member of the union to work in any movie, without the identity card issued from the union. This is clearly illegal. The reason for denying membership to make-up artist is that she is a woman
On considering the statements given by various individuals in cinema, both men and women, all the documents which are produced by witnesses and procured by the committee from various sources and having understood during the study, the nature of the working atmosphere of women in film industry, and also how the Malayalam film industry runs In the present scenario, I have no hesitation to hold that the only solution to the various issues faced by women in cinema to enact a Tribunal under the government.
The committee recommended a “Constitution of a Tribunal or Appointing a retired District Judge as the Tribunal, preferably a woman, who has a minimum of five years experience on the trial side. The decision of the tribunal shall be final, subject only to a revision before a Division Bench of the High Court. The powers of the Tribunal include taking assistance of his/her satisfaction a counselor, any expert to mediator, doctor, psychologist/ psychiatrist lawyer or any other person whether from within the industry or outside the industry can be availed of, as the Tribunal may think it fit and proper1 depending on the facts and circumstances of each dispute.”
