Tovino Thomas says he gave inputs to Justice Hema Committee

The Justice Hema Committee report, according to Malayalam actor Tovino Thomas, has shed light on some of the "terrible" treatment women receive in the film industry. However, he hopes that audiences will not view the entire film industry as a breeding ground for evil.

Four and a half years after it was sent to the Kerala Chief Minister, the Justice Hema Committee report was made public by the state government of Kerala on Monday. The 233-page report offers a scathing indictment of the mistreatment and exploitation that women experience in the Malayalam cinema industry.

As predicted, the report startled enthusiasts, and it has since grown into a political controversy. Tovino stated in an interview with Indianexpress.com that the committee had asked him to provide his insights on the inner workings of the film industry, which has become known as the focal point of progressive cinema in the nation, particularly in recent years, Indian Express reported.

Tovino, when asked about the steps that can be taken to make the workspace safe for women, stated, “Yes I spoke to the committee. This committee was set up only in the Malayalam industry, that’s why we’re talking about things happening in the Malayalam film industry. If such a committee is set up in any other industry not just films, or anywhere in the world, you’d know that this problem exists even there. Now, if people say this happens only in the Malayalam film industry, it is hurtful for me because I’m a part of the industry.

“Not everyone in the industry is going through that or perpetrating that. According to the report, people are going through those terrible things, and some have done that. But not everyone, I want to clarify that,” he said.

Tovino Thomas, who is well-known for films like Minnal Murali, India's Oscar submission ‘2018’, and others, stated that while severe punishments should be meted out to those who commit such crimes, the emphasis should also be on making the workplace a safer place for women.

“If someone has done such a terrible thing to anyone, be it a man or a woman, they should get the deserved punishment. They shouldn’t be spared, that’s the basic thing to do. They should not just be punished but we must ensure that this doesn’t happen again. That awareness, that education system must be there so that (the workspace is safer for women),” he added.