Malayalam cinema’s leading star, Mohanlal, has stepped down as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). His resignation follows the shocking revelations contained in the Hema Committee report, which exposed widespread sexual harassment within the Malayalam film industry. In a dramatic move, all members of AMMA’s executive committee have also jointly submitted their resignations.
The Hema Committee report, made public on Monday, has sent shockwaves through the industry. According to PTI, the report details the harassment faced by women in the Malayalam film industry, including disturbing allegations that female artists were often offered roles in exchange for sexual favors. The report has sparked an outcry, leading to a series of high-profile resignations and a growing demand for accountability.
Before Mohanlal’s resignation, both director Ranjith and actor Siddique had already stepped down from their leadership roles in a state-run film academy and AMMA, respectively. The fallout has prompted Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to convene a high-level meeting with senior police officials to address the serious concerns raised by the report and to investigate the allegations of sexual misconduct in the industry.
The Hema Committee, established by the Kerala government in 2019, was tasked with investigating the challenges faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. The committee’s findings, now public after a five-year wait, paint a grim picture of the industry’s treatment of women. The report highlights numerous cases of sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse. It also describes incidents of intoxicated men harassing female artists by knocking on their doors late at night.
The release of the report has prompted a wave of responses from within the industry, with several actors coming forward to share their own experiences and to call out alleged perpetrators. The scandal has not only brought intense scrutiny to the Malayalam film industry but has also raised urgent questions about the safety and dignity of women working in cinema.
As the industry grapples with the fallout from the report, there is a growing push for systemic changes to ensure a safer environment for women in Malayalam cinema.
