The challenge that cultural Kerala is facing
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After the attack on an actress astounded Kerala, the state government appointed the Justice Hema Committee to investigate the difficulties and problems faced by women in the Malayalam film industry and submit a report and recommendations. After having kept the report in cold storage for four years, the government partially released it following the order of the Right to Information Commission triggering a controversy which has culminated in huge explosion. Its resonance has been shaking the Kerala’s social life for the past few days. The allegations of sexual assault raised by an actress against the newly appointed general secretary of actors’ organization AMMA has virtually shocked the society. More actresses came forward with similar allegations against more celebrities. When an actress from Bengal raised allegations against the chairman of Kerala Chalachitra Academy, the government also came under fire. The Academy Chairman and AMMA General Secretary had no choice but to resign. As the government tried to sneak away by appointing a seven-member committee to study and examine the situation, more actresses came out with revelations and accusations with the Opposition beginning to use it as a political weapon, and the hitherto silent President of AMMA resigned along with 17 of its executive members. It is said that a new governing body will be elected within two months and until then a temporary system will continue the service activities of the organization, but it remains to be seen how much it will happen given the infighting and washing of the dirty linen in public.
The film industry, one of the major sources of revenue for the state exchequer, has a wide impact on people's lives, while providing employment to thousands of men and women. It is an area that should stay healthy and grow. Not just a form of entertainment, it is a powerful medium that deeply influences the young generation. Movies play an undeniable role in shaping their culture and lifestyle. That is why the awards have been instituted at the national and regional levels to encourage experimentation in cinema. Film stars contesting and winning elections to parliament and state legislatures prove the popularity of the film. The rapid progress in technology gives newer dimensions to the movies. It is in this background one has to look at the lapses and immoral tendencies in this field. The situation where actresses and other female artists, who are integral part of the movies, are not allowed to work in a safe and non-discriminatory environment cannot be tolerated.
The outcry and reactions coming out are disturbing, reprehensible and call for immediate action. Nobody will argue that all men working in films are criminals and corrupt. Corrupt people are natural in every field like in films. But if a woman has to submit her dignity and self-esteem to get jobs, wages and respect, it is a disgrace to the entire society, cannot be accepted. Sexual anarchy disrupts family life and leads generations astray. Do not turn film industry into a breeding ground for immorality on the pretext of progressive thinking. It is not culture, it is lack of culture. The discord emerging from Malayalam film world should be seen as discord. Without politicizing everything and turning it into a regular fight between the government and the opposition, everyone should try to fight the misguided tendencies that are deeply affecting the Malayali society. The earlier the government, the opposition and the entire society can stop the immoral war being waged against each other using media, calling out the evils that exist or not, the cultural image of Kerala can be restored.
