AAZAMAZEEM at 06:17, 23 April 2026

2026-04-23T06:17:31Z

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{{Use Indian English|date=August 2024}}
{{Short description|Report by the Kerala government on women workers}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}

'''Hema Committee''' was an advisory committee formed by the [[Government of Kerala]] in July 2017, to investigate the issues related to [[sexual violence]] and gender inequality, in the [[Malayalam cinema|Malayalam cinema industry]] and to submit solutions to them.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gopakumar |first=K. C. |date=2024-08-19 |title=Hema Committee report: Kerala HC dismisses actor's appeal against single judge order permitting to make report public |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/hema-committee-report-kerala-hc-dismisses-actors-appeal-against-single-judge-order-permitting-to-make-report-public/article68542106.ece |access-date=2024-10-04 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The three-member committee was chaired by former [[Kerala High Court]] judge Justice Hema.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-20 |title=All you need to know about Hema Committee report, the investigation that has rocked Malayalam film industry |url=https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/all-you-need-to-know-about-justice-hema-committee-report-on-malayalam-film-industry-640189.html |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=Indiatimes |language=en-IN}}</ref> Film actress & politician [[Sarada (actress)|Sarada]] and former IAS officer KB Vatsalakumari, were the other members of the committee.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/justice-hema-committee-report-the-complete-coverage/article68567888.ece#:~:text=The%20Hema%20Committee%2C%20comprising%20retired,inequality%20in%20Malayalam%20film%20industry|title=Hema Committee report:The complete coverage|newspaper=The Hindu |date=26 August 2024|via=www.thehindu.com|access-date=27 August 2024|archive-date=27 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827015316/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/justice-hema-committee-report-the-complete-coverage/article68567888.ece#:~:text=The%20Hema%20Committee%2C%20comprising%20retired,inequality%20in%20Malayalam%20film%20industry|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgq24z8z817o|title=Rampant harassment and no toilets: Report exposes Kerala film industry|publisher=bbc news}}</ref> The committee was formed when the [[Women in Cinema Collective]] (WCC), an organization formed after a young actress, who was assaulted in 2017 in Kochi, complained to Chief Minister [[Pinarayi Vijayan]].{{fact|date=March 2025}}

The committee, which started functioning on 16 November 2017, consulted multiple women professionals in the Malayalam film industry and recorded detailed statistics on [[sexual harassment]], earned wages and blacklisting from work. A 300-page report, which came to be known as the '''Hema Committee Report''' was submitted to Pinarayi Vijayan in December 2019, along with the documents, audio and video evidence supporting the findings.{{fact|date=March 2025}}

== History ==
The committee was headed by the former judge of Kerala High Court, Justice retired K. Hema, to investigate the concerns of [[sexual harassment]] and [[gender equality|gender discrimination]] in [[Malayalam cinema]]. The report was submitted to the government on 31 December, 20 but not released to the public. No action was taken by the Kerala government ([[First Vijayan ministry|First Vijayan Ministry]] & [[Second Vijayan ministry|Second n Ministry]]) from December 2019 to July 2024.{{fact|date=March 2025}}

On 6 July 2024, the [[Kerala State Information Commission]] passed an order directing the Kerala government to issue the committee report to RTI applicants before 22 July, after redacting information that could identify individuals mentioned in the report, as prohibited under the [[Right to Information Act, 2005|Right to Information Act]]. On 19 August 2024, the report was made available to the RTI applicants after the Kerala High Court, on Tuesday, 13 August, upheld the order of the State Information Commission and allowed for the release of the Justice Hema Committee report, determining that there was no breach of privacy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chandrashekar |first=Azeefa Fathima,Nandini |date=2024-08-14 |title=Why the Kerala HC upheld the release of Hema Committee report |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/kerala/why-the-kerala-hc-upheld-the-release-of-hema-committee-report |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref>

The Kerala government released only 233 pages of the report, excluding sections that could infringe on the privacy of the individuals mentioned. The omitted portions include paragraphs 97 to 107 from pages 49 to 53, as well as sections from pages 81 to 100 and pages 165 to 196. According to Manorama News, the 11 paragraphs from pages 49 to 53 were not part of the exclusions submitted by the State Information Commission.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hema Commission report: Kerala govt withheld 11 paragraphs not recommended by SIC |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2024/08/23/hema-committee-report-paragraphs-ommitted-state-information-commission.html |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=Onmanorama}}</ref> The report reveals the existence of an all-male power group of 15 top people in the industry, including directors, producers and actors in the Malayalam industry. According to the report, the power group determined who should stay in the industry and who would be cast in films.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/kerala/kerala-government-releases-hema-committee-report-on-malayalam-film-industry-3155655|title=Kerala government releases Hema Committee report on Malayalam film industry|website=Deccan Herald}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2024/Aug/19/justice-hema-committee-report-that-deals-with-working-conditions-of-women-in-mollywood-has-been-released|title=Hema Committee report reveals all-male power group, systemic sexual harassment against women in Mollywood|date=19 August 2024|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/india/hema-committee-report-women-in-malayalam-film-industry-face-casting-couch-pay-disparities-19461784.htm|title='Casting couch, pay disparities and more': Hema Committee report on issues women face in Malayalam film industry – CNBC TV18|date=19 August 2024|website=CNBCTV18|access-date=19 August 2024|archive-date=19 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240819104709/https://www.cnbctv18.com/india/hema-committee-report-women-in-malayalam-film-industry-face-casting-couch-pay-disparities-19461784.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/kerala-government-delays-release-of-justice-k-hema-committee-report-amid-legal-challenge-by-former-actress/articleshow/112588846.cms|title=Kerala Government delays release of Justice K. Hema Committee report amid legal challenge by former actress|newspaper=The Times of India |date=17 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/tanushree-dutta-calls-hema-committee-report-useless-targets-dileep-and-nana-patekar-a-safe-workplace-is-a-basic-right-for-a-woman-9524882/|title=Tanushree Dutta calls Hema Committee report 'useless', targets Dileep and Nana Patekar: 'A safe workplace is a basic right for a woman'|date=21 August 2024 |publisher=The Indian Express}}</ref>

== Reactions ==
Following the Hema Committee Report, numerous actresses and other female workers in the Malayalam film industry came forward to share their harrowing experiences with various industry figures:

# [[Sreelekha Mitra]] revealed a disturbing encounter with Malayalam film director [[Ranjith (director)|Ranjith Balakrishnan]]. In response to these allegations, Ranjith resigned from his position as Chairman of the [[Kerala State Chalachitra Academy]]. The alleged incident occurred during the production of the 2009 film ''[[Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha (film)|Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bengali actor Sreelekha Mitra files complaint against Ranjith to Kochi police commissioner |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2024/08/26/bengali-actor-sreelekha-mitra-complains-to-kochi-police.html |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=onmanorama.com}}</ref>
# An actress disclosed inappropriate behaviour from Malayalam film actors [[Siddique (actor)|Siddique]] and [[Riyaz Khan]]. Subsequently, [[Siddique (actor)|Siddique]] stepped down as General Secretary of the [[Association of Malayalam Movie Artists]] (AMMA).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Revathy Sampath accuses actor Riyaz Khan of making sexual advances over call|url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/entertainment/revathy-sampath-accuses-actor-riyaz-khan-of-making-sexual-advances-over-call-article-12806072.html|access-date=2024-08-25|website=moneycontrol.com|archive-date=26 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826154012/https://www.moneycontrol.com/entertainment/revathy-sampath-accuses-actor-riyaz-khan-of-making-sexual-advances-over-call-article-12806072.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title='The door was locked': Revathy Sampath details shocking alleged sexual assault by Siddique, says no one helped her |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-revathy-sampath-details-shocking-alleged-sexual-assault-by-siddique-says-no-one-malayalam-cinema-helped-her-3104205 |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=dnaindia.com |archive-date=26 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826034145/https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-revathy-sampath-details-shocking-alleged-sexual-assault-by-siddique-says-no-one-malayalam-cinema-helped-her-3104205 |url-status=live }}</ref>
# [[Geetha Vijayan]] shared her negative experiences with Malayalam film director [[Thulasidas]] and producer Aroma Mohan during the filming of ''Chanchattam'' in 1991.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Actors Sridevika, Geetha Vijayan accuse senior Malayalam director Thulasidas of harassment |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/actors-sridevika-geetha-vijayan-accuse-senior-malayalam-director-thulasidas-of-harassment-9534175/ |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=indianexpress.com |date=26 August 2024 |archive-date=26 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826143855/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/actors-sridevika-geetha-vijayan-accuse-senior-malayalam-director-thulasidas-of-harassment-9534175/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
# [[Sridevika]] also recounted a distressing encounter with Malayalam film director [[Thulasidas]] while working on the film ''[[Avan Chandiyude Makan]]'' in 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Actors Geetha Vijayan, Sridevika accuse director Thulasidas of sexual harassment |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/actor-geetha-vijayan-accuses-director-thulasidas-of-making-sexual-advances-chanchattam-2587981-2024-08-26 |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=indiatoday.in |date=26 August 2024 |archive-date=26 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826105201/https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/movies/regional-cinema/story/actor-geetha-vijayan-accuses-director-thulasidas-of-making-sexual-advances-chanchattam-2587981-2024-08-26 |url-status=live }}</ref>
# An anonymous young scriptwriter came forward with allegations against Malayalam film director [[V. K. Prakash]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Female Malayalam Script Writer Accuses VK Prakash Of Forcing Himself On Her, Bribing Her To Stay Quiet; Says, 'Admired His Films, Never Expected Him To Behave This Way' |url=https://www.spotboye.com/south/malayalam/female-malayalam-script-writer-accuses-vk-prakash-of-forcing-himself-on-her-bribing-her-to-stay-quiet-says-admired-his-films-never-expected-him-to-behave-this-way/66cc844d90e06b057b60e888 |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=spotboye.com}}</ref>
# An actress alleged that Malayalam film actors [[Jayasurya]], [[Maniyanpilla Raju]], and [[Edavela Babu]] exhibited inappropriate behaviour towards her during the production of a film in Kochi in 2014. Additionally, she claimed that actor [[Mukesh (actor)|Mukesh]] demanded sexual favours in exchange for a membership in the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA).<ref>{{Cite news|title=Malayalam actress Minu Muneer claims she faced sexual abuse from 4 Mollywood heavyweights |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/former-actress-minu-muneer-accuses-4-malayalam-heavyweights-of-sexual-abuse/articleshow/112799175.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-08-26 |newspaper=The Economic Times}}</ref>
# A junior artist shared a negative experience with Malayalam film actor-producer [[Baburaj (actor)|Baburaj Jacob]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Malayalam actor-producer Baburaj accused by junior artiste of sexual assault |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/malayalam-actor-producer-baburaj-sexual-assault-accusation-legal-action-9534127/ |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=economictimes.indianexpress.com|date=26 August 2024 }}</ref>
# A junior artist, recounted a negative interaction her friend's mother had with the Malayalam actor [[Mukesh (actor)|Mukesh]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Allegations against MLA Mukesh cast a shadow over Kerala's film policy committee |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/kerala/allegations-against-mla-mukesh-cast-a-shadow-over-keralas-film-policy-committee|access-date=2024-08-26 |website=thenewsminute.com|date=26 August 2024 }}</ref>
# A man from Kozhikode has filed a sexual abuse complaint against film director [[Ranjith (director)|Ranjith Balakrishnan]]. According to him, Ranjith had also claimed to the victim about the involvement of a lady whom Ranjith had referred to as Revathy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kozhikode man claims director Ranjith sexually abused him in 2012, files complaint |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2024/08/28/man-alleges-sexual-abuse-from-director-ranjith.html |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=Onmanorama}}</ref>
# A casting couch sexual assault case filed against actor [[Nivin Pauly]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sexual assault case against actor Nivin Pauly |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/sexual-assault-case-against-actor-nivin-pauly-1.9869598|access-date=2024-09-03| website=mathrubhumi|date=3 September 2024 }}</ref> He has denied the whole allegations, calls it "entirely untrue" and he has assured full cooperation with any investigation.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Actor Nivin Pauly refutes sexual harassment allegations|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/actor-nivin-pauly-refutes-sexual-harassment-allegations-entirely-untrue-2593066-2024-09-03|access-date=2024-09-03|website=IndiaToday|date=3 September 2024 }}</ref> Later Nivin petitioned Police Chief and SIT demanding probe into "fake complaints".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Actor demanding probe into Fake Complaints|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/nivin-pauly-petitions-police-chief-and-sit-demanding-probe-into-fake-complaint/article68614194.ece|access-date=2024-09-05|website=the Hindu }}</ref> Later Nivin got clean chit from court that he was innocent.
# An actress filed a sexual harassment case against actor [[Alencier Ley Lopez]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Women file Complaint against Actor Alencier|url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2024/09/04/woman-files-complaint-against-actor-alencier-for-sexually-harassing-her-at-film-set.html|access-date=2024-09-03|website=Onmanorama}}</ref>

On 27 August 2024, following the release of the Hema Committee report, which detailed allegations from female artists and workers from the [[Malayalam Cinema]], the [[Association of Malayalam Movie Artists]] (AMMA) dissolved its entire executive committee for the period 2024–2027. [[Mohanlal]], who had by then secured his second term as president of that organisation, was the head of the executive committee who had to step down.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mohanlal resigns as AMMA president; executive committee dissolved |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2024/08/27/amma-members-mohanlal-resign-sexual-assault-allegations-malayalam-cinema.html |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=[[Onmanorama]]}}</ref>

Many, including [[Prakash Raj]] acknowledged how deeply engrained harassment of women was across film industries, and the need to start working on the same. "There has been abuse on you, we have been silent and we are sorry. And we have to continue to be sorry for a very long time," he said at the [[Wayanad Literature Festival|Wayanad Literature Fest (2024).]]<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIdcl4i_FH8 |title=WLF 2024 {{!}} Prakash Raj in Conversation with Dhanya Rajendran {{!}} Art and Politics |date=2025-01-10 |last=WLF {{!}} Wayanad Literature Festival |access-date=2025-11-12 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

== Aftermath ==
The [[Government of Kerala]] has set up a [[Special Investigation Team (India)|Special Investigation Team]] (SIT) to probe sexual harassment allegations in the Malayalam film industry. The SIT, led by [[Inspector-general of police|IG]] G. Sparjan Kumar and consisting of four senior women [[Indian Police Service|IPS]] officers, will have [[Additional director general of police|ADGP]] H. Venkitesh overseeing its operations.

The team comprises S. Ajeetha Begum, [[Deputy inspector general of police|DIG]]; Merin Joseph, [[Superintendent of police (India)|SP]], [[Kerala Police#Crime Branch|Crime Branch]]; G. Poonkuzhali, AIG, Coastal Police; Aiswarya Dongre, Assistant Director, Kerala Police Academy; V. Ajith, AIG, Law and Order; and S. Madhusoodanan, SP, Crime Branch.<ref>{{Cite news |author=|date=2024-08-25 |title=SIT formed to probe charges of sexual harassment in Malayalam cinema, four women officers part of the team |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/sit-formed-to-probe-charges-of-sexual-harassment-in-malayalam-cinema-four-women-officers-part-of-the-team/article68565713.ece |access-date=2024-08-28 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

Following Kerala's Hema committee, similar proposal for setting up a committee in West Bengal's [[Cinema of West Bengal|Bengali cinema]] has been proposed to the Chief Minister.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-11 |title=Actor Ritabhari: Mamata Banerjee responded to our request for Hema Committee-like body |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/committee-formed-to-investigate-sexual-harassment-in-bengali-film-industry-2597882-2024-09-11 |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>

== External links ==
{{Cite report |url=https://legal-wires.com/wp-content/uploads/hema-committee-report-556462.pdf |title=Hema Committee Report |last=K. |first=Hema |date=2024-08-19 |access-date=2024-08-30}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:2017 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Government agencies of India]]
[[Category:Malayalam cinema| ]]
[[Category:Indian film industries]]

Hema Committee report - Revision history

AAZAMAZEEM at 06:17, 23 April 2026