At ABP Network's Southern Rising Summit, 'Manjummel Boys' filmmaker Chidambaram Poduval spoke about The Justice Hema Committee Report, which detailed disturbing incidents of exploitation and harassment faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. Poduval commended actors like Parvathy Thiruvothu for their bravery in speaking out against these issues.
What Chidambaram Poduval said about the Justice Hema Committee Report
"The women have spoken up, unlike in other industries," he remarked, adding that the boldness seen in Malayalam cinema is unique. "This is happening only in Malayalam cinema. Nobody else is coming forward like this."
Poduval said that prominent figures such as Parvathy and Dina have been instrumental in raising awareness about these problems. “People like Parvati and Dina have worked hard to bring these issues to light,” he said.
Poduval explained that this openness to discussing industry problems is a precedent set by the Malayalam film industry. "You don’t see this elsewhere because we have set a precedent," he noted.
"We brought our dirty laundry out into the open, and I’m very proud of what the WCC has done to create a safer environment for women."
He further highlighted how these challenges are common across workplaces, not just in the film industry. "In my family, like many others, the women I know have to face this not just in movies but in every workplace,” he shared, underlining the need for security and safety for women to allow them to freely express themselves.
About the Justice Hema Committee report
The Justice Hema Committee, created by the Kerala government in the wake of the 2017 actress assault case, has brought to light multiple cases of harassment and coercion faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. According to the report, a "criminal gang" exerts significant control over the industry, often targeting women who resist conformity and ultimately forcing them out.
The committee’s findings also noted a powerful nexus of producers, directors, actors, and production controllers who maintain substantial influence and create an unsafe environment for women.
In response, the Kerala government announced the formation of a seven-member special investigation team on August 25 to further investigate these allegations.
ABP Southern Rising Summit 2024
ABP Network's much-awaited 'Southern Rising Summit' returned with its second edition in Hyderabad on October 25. The summit celebrated celebrate the political, cultural, economic, and social advances of the southern states with changemakers and visionaries from the New South and explored the region’s transformative journey towards a brighter future.
The Southern Rising Summit was first held in Chennai in 2023, when several speakers celebrated ideas that define South India.