Kerala govt publishes Hema report on sexual harassment in Malayalam film industry

The 235-page report, seen by HT, recorded sordid accounts of women who testified that they were routinely asked for sexual favours in exchange for work opportunities. They said they were told to make ‘adjustments’ and ‘compromises’ in cinema, dealt with forced entries by their male colleagues in hotel rooms and threatened with bans if they took legal recourses.

“’Compromise’ and ‘adjustment’ are two terms which are very familiar among women in Malayalam film industry and thereby, they are asked to make herself available for sex on demand,” the report said.

Underlining that women do not find their accommodations arranged near film sets safe, the report said they are forced to be accompanied by their family members or close relatives in fear of being attacked.