Thiruvananthapuram: The Hema committee report has come out with revelations that prove that the casting couch is a reality in the Malayalam film industry. Based on the statements of those working in the field, the committee also assesses that many women have to compromise sexually to stay in the film industry.
It also suggests that the Malayalam film industry is controlled by a 15-man power group. It is mentioned that these fifteen people include actors, directors and producers.
The behavior of those in the shadow of the power group is in a way that the women who come to act in the film are ready to compromise. Those who collaborate in this way are called ‘cooperating’ artists in the field. Actions including banning those who do not cooperate from the film industry are also common. Even minor girls are among the victims of sexual exploitation. It is also revealed that there have been incidents where a case should be filed under POCSO.
However, fearing threats, most people are not ready to disclose such things. It is also common in the region to threaten family members if they complain. The mafia is working like this. It is also their custom to ban ‘unyielding’ women from the film industry.
There are drunken people who knock on the doors of actresses’ hotel rooms at night. If you object, you can expect cyber attacks with foul language. The sets often don’t have washrooms or even enough privacy for women to change.
Many actresses bring their family members with them on the sets to protect them from sexual harassment. Not only the actresses who get the roles, but the junior artistes also face severe sexual exploitation. If the superiors do not cooperate as intended, they are in a situation where they do not even get good food.
The actresses playing the lead roles are also being sexually exploited under the guise of shooting. Some directors insist on some of the scenes that are interwoven, even though they are not required in the film. It is said that such scenes were sometimes repeated in up to seventeen takes. If you resist, you will have to face blackmailing.
Even the opportunity to join the WCC has been denied. It is also common to make lewd comments against women on set.
Some have also revealed that many people are forced to wear revealing clothes even when they are not shooting.
