Malayalam filmdom that sank in the grip of underworld
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Kerala now is discussing the Justice Hema Commission report that describes in detail, alongside suggesting remedies, the harassment, exploitation and discrimination faced by women working in the Malayalam film and TV serial sector. After the actress assault incident in Kochi in 2017, when the women’s collective in movie WCC submitted a petition to the Chief Minister , the state government in July the same year tasked the commission to study various aspects of the problem and submit a comprehensive report with recommendations. Despite the commission submitted the report in December 2019, nothing of it came out just as the government sat on the report for the past four years. None of its recommendations were implemented. Finally, the state RTI Commission ordered the release in parts of the report except those affecting individuals. Even then, those with vested interests unsuccessfully tried to stop it by approaching the High Court; and the governemnt was forced to disclose the report heeding to the emotions of the general public.
The question is why the commission was set up in the first place if the government’s stand was not to release report and no action over it. There is no point in not telling the truth. The government was reeling under the pressure from what can be called criminals or mafia dominating the film-serial industry, which provides employment to thousands of people in the state alongside being the main form of entertainment for almost the entire population. When it could not anymore hold back, the government released parts of the report that did not accuse anyone by name. The commission blames that the Malayalam cinema industry is in the hands of a few producers, directors and actors. Director Vinayan alleges that one of them is even in the cabinet. It is certain that the government will not take action against any one of them. The first stage of the process is the police investigation. How can a case be filed without mentioning the name? If the case is filed, who will testify against them? If at all someone is added to the witness list, what is the guarantee that they will not change their statement before the court? Given this situation, it is obvious that there is no guarantee in the government’s assurance of taking action on the commission’s report. However, the findings of the Hema Commission are very serious. Sexual exploitation of actresses is the most serious. The commission points out the complaint that producers, directors, actors, production controllers, cameramen etc. conduct casting couch ruthlessly by offering roles to aspiring young actresses is absolutely true. Other forms of exploitation like forcing to act nude continue. Even minor girls are being exploited. In a sense, it is a heinous rape. The criminals should be booked under POCSO if they are out of the film. Victims do not tell their parents of the abuse from the fear of losing the chance. Some even fear for their family's safety.
The Commission finds that influence of intoxication gripping the film worlds doubles the violence against women. It has been reported that many sexual assaults have taken place after the use of alcoholic beverages and drugs. The women have also testified that most of the actors arrive on the sets drunk. But none of this is new thing happening. Young actors’ consumption and trafficking of drug at one point caused stopping shooting, incurring financial losses to the producers, a huge challenge to the Malayalam cinema. But that somehow came to an end. But DJ parties and associated drug use and sexual exploitation have only increased. The question is how this can be stopped even if the government decides to implement the Hema Commission report? The government to an extent will be able to implement the recommendations regarding discrimination between men and women in wages and lack of facilities. But the fact is that the governments are not even able to think about stopping the underworld culture emanating from Hollywood to Bollywood to Mollywood. It is no use denying that the world, the country and the state are in the grip of the spokesmen, propagandists and trumpeters of Western culture with the hallmarks of sexual anarchy, rampant immorality and moral degeneration. However, those who speak from the side of humanity, peaceful environment, women’s safety and morality are described as people who should live in 6 th century and are religious fundamentalists. As long as this situation continues, there is no safety not only for the woman in the film, but also for anyone who wants to live a dignified life.