In a candid conversation with actor Parvathy Thiruvothu, acclaimed author Arundhati Roy expressed deep dismay over the recently released Hema Committee report, which exposed widespread sexual harassment and discrimination against women in Kerala’s film industry. Roy described the situation as a “filthy, sordid paste” that contradicts Kerala’s progressive rhetoric.
“All the rhetoric of progressive Kerala and workers’ rights and women and leftism – everything is just ground down to some filthy, sordid paste,” Roy remarked during the interview on The News Minute YouTube channel, expressing particular disappointment given Kerala’s reputation for social progress.
The discussion comes in the wake of the partial release of the controversial Hema Committee report in August 2024, following a prolonged legal battle. The committee, established in 2017 and headed by former Kerala High Court judge Justice K. Hema, submitted its findings to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in December 2019. However, the report remained under wraps until the Kerala State Information Commission ordered its release.
Actor Parvathy Thiruvothu, who has been vocal about industry reforms, revealed systemic practices designed to isolate women professionals. “They made sure women never share notes. By structure, we were made to be floating islands,” she explained, describing how even shooting schedules were arranged to prevent female actors from meeting.
The report’s revelations have triggered significant changes in the industry. The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) dissolved its entire executive committee, including president Mohanlal, in August 2024. The Kerala government has established a Special Investigation Team led by IG G. Sparjan Kumar, including four senior women IPS officers, to investigate sexual harassment allegations.
Roy, who briefly worked in cinema before focusing on writing, emphasized the need for alternative power centers and independent art creation. “The only real cure for this is other power centers, other art… creating our own thing,” she stated, while acknowledging the financial challenges faced by independent filmmakers.
The Hema Committee report identified an all-male power group of 15 top industry figures who allegedly controlled casting decisions and career opportunities. Following its release, several actresses came forward with allegations against prominent industry figures, leading to high-profile resignations including that of director Ranjith Balakrishnan from the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy.
The impact of the report has extended beyond Kerala, with similar committees being proposed in other film industries, including Bengali cinema. The case highlights the ongoing struggle for gender equality in India’s entertainment industry, even in states considered socially progressive.
