Sexual abuse, exploitation rampant in Malayalam film industry: judicial panel

The panel submitted its report to the chief minister

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A three-member commission, headed by former Kerala High Court judge K. Hema, appointed by the state government to look into the issues faced by woman in Malayalam movie industry in the wake of the assault on a leading actor, found that sexual abuse, exploitation and discrimination are rampant in the industry.

According to media reports, the panel, comprising of actor Sarada and retd IAS officer K.B. Valsala Kumari, submitted its report to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday.

In its 300-page report, the commission listed the problems faced by women actors and technicians in the industry, including casting couch. They pointed out that young actors, who are entering the industry are often subjected to sexual abuse, but they do not usually file a police complaint.

According to an Indian Express report, the commission also pointed out the issue of drug and alcohol abuse in the industry. Among the other issues highlighted are gender discrimination and presence of lobbies that create troubles for the actors and impose undeclared ban on them.

The panel also recommended the need of a legislation to address the issues faced by women in the industry. One of the recommendations was setting up a tribunal to address the problems.

The judicial panel was set up by the state government after Women in Cinema Collective, an outfit of cine actors, approached the chief minister following the assault on the actor and complained about the problems faced by the actors and others in the industry.

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