A committee is being set up to probe exploitation in Kollywood, says actor and general secretary of Nadigarh Sangam Vishal
Tamil actor-producer Vishal
A committee will be formed within the next 10 days to probe incidents of sexual exploitation and harassment in the Tamil film industry, actor and Nadigar Sangam general secretary Vishal said on Thursday.
Vishal was addressing the press on his 47th birthday when he was asked about the recent revelations made by the Hema committee report in Kerala and whether a similar committee could be set up in Tamil Nadu.
“The Nadiga Sangam will form a committee in the next ten days,” Vishal was quoted as saying. “Preparations are underway. Announcement will be made soon. It is our duty to do so.”
He emphasized that the Nadiga Sangam, a union of actors in Tamil Nadu, is not just for men in the industry. “It’s also for women to know that someone is there for them.”
The three-member Justice Hema Committee report, set up in 2017, was made public on August 19, 2024, revealing the horrific story of discrimination, exploitation and sexual harassment of women in the Malayalam film industry. The report submitted by the committee to the Government of Kerala in December 2019 was released with limited revisions. This subsequently sparked a nationwide reckoning about how women are treated in the film industry in India.
In Kerala, the executive committee of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) was dissolved amid mounting allegations of sexual harassment and mistreatment by women against some of its members. AMMA president and senior actor Mohanlal are among those who resigned.
Vishal, while talking to the media, said that “there are definitely crazy men who have no respect for women and make such claims”.
“Women need to be careful,” says Vishal “They need to verify if the company is legitimate and if they are actually making a movie or not as they claim. They should check all these before signing. They should be fearless and stop such people with slippers,” said the actor-producer.
Vishal also said that there are ‘cheaters’ in the Tamil industry who exploit women on the pretext of opportunity.
“In the Tamil film industry, there are scammers who promise female artistes roles in movies, call them for photoshoots and auditions and then disappear. Women should beware of them,” she said.
He continued, “If women in the industry feel disrespected or uncomfortable or feel that they have been exploited by men they should slap their slippers. Women should be brave in all situations.”
On allegations of sexual harassment against prominent figures in the Malayalam industry, such as actor and CPI(M) leader Mukesh and actor Siddique, Vishal said, “If you have committed a crime, you have to go to jail. You cannot get away with ruining a woman’s life.”
