Implications of the Hema Committee Report: Shruti Hariharan calls for a similar committee in the Kannada film industry
Actress Shruti Hariharan. | Photo Credit: MURALI KUMAR K
Kannada actor Shruti Hariharan K in Kannada film industry. Hema called for a forum on the lines of the committee, which was set up by the Kerala government in 2017 following a petition by the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC).
Recently released, the Hema Committee report revealed horrific stories of sexual exploitation, illegal taboos, discrimination, drug and alcohol abuse, wage discrimination and in some cases inhumane working conditions in the Malayalam film industry. After this report, several women accused of sexual harassment in Mollywood.
Shruti, as known for films Lucia, Godhi Banna Sadhala Mikattu, Sundar Mansugalu And Nathicharami, took to Instagram to share his views on the ongoing issue. “It would be great to have a committee like the Justice K. Hema committee for an impartial and fair inquiry into the working conditions of women in all segments of the Kannada film industry,” she wrote.
“Please don’t sensationalize it and focus only on the sexual harassment angle. Such a committee will go much further and help uplift and empower women in many more ways,” added the National Award-winning actor.
In 2018, Shruti accused popular actor Arjun Sarja of sexual harassment amid the #MeToo wave. Even though Sarja denied the allegations, Shruti filed a complaint against Sarja at Bangalore’s Kuban Park police station. Three years after the allegations, the police closed the investigation for ‘lack of evidence’.
In 2019, the actor said he did not regret raising his voice but felt victimized for doing so. “I gave up my career opportunities in the publishing medium I love the most,” he said Hindu
Recently, leading female actors, producers and directors demanded that the Telangana government release a 2022 report on sexual harassment in the Telugu film industry. Actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu said she “welcomed the Hema Committee report and appreciated the WCC’s continued efforts in Kerala.”
In the Tamil film industry, veteran actor Radhika Sarathkumar said actors with political ambitions should advocate for women in their own industries. She added that it is the responsibility of the producers to ensure a conducive environment for women artistes on a film set.
