The Hema Committee report on sexual harassment in the Kerala film industry has revealed some shocking details. Several actresses have broken their silence about the mistreatment and sexual harassment they have faced.
Many women came forward, accusing directors and actors of sidelining them from movies when they spoke out. Shobhaa De has now joined this campaign, making a sharp commentary on the issue.
She questioned the silence of Malayalam actor and producer Mohanlal, especially regarding the ongoing MeToo movement in the industry. De described Mohanlal’s silence as cowardly and demanded his resignation from his position as head of the Association of Malayalam Movie Actors.
Shobhaa De Challenges Mohanlal
According to media reports, Shobhaa De expressed her anger over the ongoing sexual harassment in the industry and directly challenged Mohanlal. She said, “Mohanlal, you need to stand up like a man. Tell your team to take responsibility. Help the victims get justice.” De further mentioned, “I believe the most distressing part of this issue is that Justice Hema’s report has been lying around for five years, and nothing has been done about it.”
Blames Nepotism as Well
Shobhaa De also blamed nepotism, linking it to the MeToo movement. She referred to a 2017 case involving kidnapping and rape, emphasizing that such issues are not confined to the Malayalam film industry alone but are prevalent in Bollywood, Bengali cinema, and likely Karnataka as well.
Questions Raised on Influential Figures
While discussing violence against women, Shobhaa De pointed out, “There are many influential people in the industry, but I believe that good leadership ensures a safe environment for everyone. Sadly, women here are subjected to violence. They are asked for sexual favors in exchange for film roles. It’s shocking that women don’t even have proper toilet facilities on set. Despite knowing all this, no appropriate action is taken, and the safety of women is overlooked.”
It is noteworthy that since the release of the Justice Hema Committee report, the condition of women in the Malayalam industry has come to light, leading actresses to speak out against sexual harassment.