In 2024, the world of entertainment once again began discussing workplace safety after the shocking revelations in the Hema Committee Report exposed harassment and gender inequality within the Malayalam film industry. Many actors, including Siddique, Mukesh, Jayasurya, Maniyanpilla Raju, and Edavela Babu, were accused of mistreating their female co-stars on set in various films. The report was submitted to the Kerala government in 2019, and in August 2024, the government decided to release part of the report, excluding details about certain individuals to safeguard their privacy and the sensitive nature of the information.
Following the report, actors from other industries, including Bollywood and Tollywood, reacted to the issue, stating that every film set should ensure the presence of an internal cell to track and prevent workplace harassment against workers, particularly women.
It has now been almost six months since the report came to light, and here we analyze workplace safety in showbiz, with relevant commentary from actors and cinematographers from various industries.
In a recent conversation with ETimes, Tollywood star Sanjjanaa Galrani shared an inappropriate incident that occurred during the shoot of one of her earlier projects in Bangkok.
‘I was forced to do more and more intimate scenes…’ – Sanjjanaa Galrani
“In the early days of my career, when it was my first film, I was told I had very few intimate scenes. However, when I arrived on set, I was very young, about 16 and a half—practically a baby. This was around 14 or 15 years ago. What happened was that my mother was kept out of the shooting location, as only a minimal number of people were allowed access. I was told to remain in my room. We were shooting in Bangkok, and I was pressured to do more intimate scenes. They kept saying, ‘The film will come out well, the film will come out well,’ which I deeply regret today. I regret not having had the courage and approach I possess today—of course, this was because of my lack of experience, coming from a small, humble family.”
Sanjjanaa further emphasized that her journey had never been easy, and aside from that particular experience, she worked with wonderful people who helped her carve her path to where she is now.
When discussing her current approach on set, she explained, “I am very reserved when I go to work. I am not overly friendly. I believe work relationships and friendships should remain separate. Although I am humble and approachable, people know that with me, they need to keep things professional. If we venture beyond that, it won’t end well. I present myself as a strong person. When I’m in front of the news cameras, I express myself straight to the point. For me, there is no middle ground—either it’s black, or it’s white, and I expect the same clarity from others.”
Sanjjanaa also shared advice for newcomers in the industry: “Newcomers, when you’re just starting out, have your family travel with you until you understand your surroundings and learn from senior actors about how to behave, remain humble, protect yourself, and manage your finances. All of this comes the hard way. The two toughest industries in the country are politics and films. Everything else is more manageable, as you at least receive a regular monthly salary, even in corporates. But in the film industry, things come at you that are not easy to handle. So, it’s essential to stay cautious and be accompanied by someone from home when working in an environment with a hundred men around.”
“I suffered from severe trauma, anxiety, neurosis…” – Minu Muneer
Actress Minu Muneer, who spoke out against actor-politician Mukesh shortly after the Hema Committee report was unveiled, discussed the constant public scrutiny she faced after the revelation. “Facing legal and mental pressure after lodging a complaint against a prominent figure can be overwhelming. The complainant may experience anxiety, stress, and fear of retaliation. Peer pressure from within and outside the industry can amplify these feelings, leading to isolation and vulnerability,” Minu told ETimes.
“The aftermath of such revelations can be severe, involving public scrutiny, social media trolling, and damage to one’s reputation and career. This can be particularly challenging for women, who may already face societal pressure to remain silent. Public scrutiny can indeed discourage women from coming forward against harassment,” she added.
Minu spoke about the hierarchical structure within Mollywood: “The findings of the Hema Committee Report likely reflect the experiences of many women in Mollywood, highlighting the prevalence of harassment and the need for systemic change. There may be a hierarchy within the industry, with those in power wielding significant influence, which fosters a culture of silence and fear.”
She went on to discuss changes since the release of the report: “Since the report’s release, some changes in workplace safety protocols have been implemented, such as mandatory training sessions and the creation of complaint mechanisms. However, the effectiveness and consistency of these changes may vary.”
Minu also addressed how influential male figures in the industry can contribute to systemic changes: “They can raise awareness about harassment and advocate for policies and practices that promote a safe and respectful work environment. By leading by example and demonstrating zero tolerance for harassment, they can support those who come forward.”
Minu shared how a false POCSO case filed against her led to a vicious smear campaign, tarnishing her reputation and affecting her family. “As a result, I suffered severe trauma and anxiety neurosis and had to be hospitalized. I received consistent life threats, and my images and videos were morphed and misused. Things worsened when some actresses, including Swasika and Beena Antony, and actor Manoj, falsely accused me on social media, claiming financial gain as my motivation,” Minu recounted.
Minu further lamented the lack of support during her ordeal: “No one reached out to offer support. Not the Hema Committee, the WCC (Women in Cinema Collective), or anyone in the industry. Instead, I was isolated, avoided, and removed from committed movie projects.”
She added, “Currently, I’m struggling to make ends meet without any income, and I’m experiencing immense emotional distress. I hope that by sharing my story, I can raise awareness for the need for support and justice for victims of false allegations and harassment.”
Minu also shared her disappointment regarding the partiality in Kerala’s law enforcement: “A person was arrested immediately for verbal abuse, whereas prominent actors accused of physical abuse were arrested only as a formality and later released on bail. Arun Kumar, a reporter channel anchor, had a POCSO case filed against him, but he hasn’t been arrested. Why is there such disparity in treatment? Why are some held accountable for verbal abuse while others, accused of more severe offenses, are given lenient treatment?”
“It’s survival of the fittest. It’s a jungle.” – Vishal
Actor Vishal, who has been vocal about workplace safety for women, shared his take on the subject. “Girls should immediately react to such physical abuse. At that moment, they should retaliate so that the person won’t want to make any further advancements. He will be deterred because he’ll realize that this girl has actually slapped him. Definitely, he would retreat but not return after five years and say that something happened to me. We are here at the South Indian Artists Association, and we are here to listen to complaints. Whatever comes to our attention, we have ensured that we have put them behind bars with the help of the police,” he told ETimes.
“Male actors definitely need to know that the law should be really strict. When the law is strict, that’s when, automatically, it instills fear in any male actor not to make a mistake of unnecessarily abusing a woman in the film environment, or maybe in the caravan, or anywhere when they go outdoors or to a hotel.”
He also shared a particular incident from the past. “One such incident came to our notice involving Amala Paul. When she called me and told me about it, I immediately called Karthi, and we both contacted the police. We got him arrested and put him behind bars. The law has to be stringent. I don’t think that if the law were as strict as in Saudi Arabia, any male actor, producer, or technician would lay their hands on women.”
He explained the incident, “Amala Paul is not my co-star but a good friend. While rehearsing for a program in Malaysia, she faced a disturbing incident when a person demanded that she dine with the event organizer after the show. She immediately confronted him, called me, and informed me of the situation. I alerted Karthi, and together, we contacted the police, leading to his arrest. I appreciated her courage to respond swiftly, which is what we expect from colleagues.”
“We, as the South Indian Artists Association and actors, have pledged to take strict action against abuse. We’ve set up a committee with members such as Suhasini Madam and Rohini to address complaints. We urge women to report such incidents immediately. Quick reporting helps us act effectively and discourages exploitation. Many of these cases stem from amateur producers and directors misusing test shoots to exploit aspiring actresses. We encourage all women to come forward and inform us, so we can tackle this issue decisively,” he added.
When asked whether he believes existing safety concerns discourage women from pursuing diverse roles in the industry, such as directors, crew members, or actors, he responded, “No, I don’t believe in that. Women, even my close friend’s wife, Kritika, is a director. I know Sudha Kongara, and I’ve known so many women who are in the industry, in the technical department, and also in the acting department. There’s always a sign giving a warning. It is not just the film industry. To be brutally honest, it happens in hospitals, IT companies, and every other place. People point to the film industry because we are under the scanner. It happens in every other industry as well.”
“My advice to youngsters entering the industry is to stay patient. Trust that your time will come. Don’t rush into projects just to get started—you could end up stuck with a single film. Around 80% are still waiting for their big opportunity. Patience is key,” he shared.
“My co-stars have often approached me during difficult times, though not specifically regarding sexual harassment, but about dealing with the troubling concept of ‘adjustments’ in the industry. However, among my co-stars, we have a camaraderie akin to college friends, where we bond over personal and professional matters and support one another,” he stated.
When sharing whether the current committee report has made it easier or harder for newcomers to enter the industry, Vishal stated, “There is always a place for newcomers. The industry has undergone a sea change after COVID. There are so many newcomers. They are not going for all the top league actresses or actors. They are experimenting with newcomers, and quite a few films have done extremely well at the box office. Yes, it is not easy. You need to be in the right place at the right time for you to be launched.”
“It’s survival of the fittest. It’s a jungle,” he added, referring to the film industry, particularly in Tamil cinema, where over 250 films are made annually. “Change won’t happen overnight, but aspiring talents are encouraged to step forward with patience, boldness, and confidence. While traditional notions may label the media as an unsafe or unsuitable career for women, efforts are being made to provide a secure environment and address any issues. The message is clear: if you have talent and determination, the industry is open to you.”
“I’ve always raised one thing—why don’t you mend the act and the law and instill the death penalty or capital punishment for rape? It’s so pathetic that someone physically abuses a woman, and she gives a complaint, but then he gets out free in three or four days. It’s so pathetic to see that there are so many loopholes in the law where one can escape after doing such a gruesome act. I would say, ban him. Ban him from acting, from directing, from producing, or completely ban him from the industry. That’s the most effective fear instilled in a human being’s mind, heart, and soul so that he won’t even think of touching or laying his hands on any actress, technician, or anyone who is a woman,” he concluded.
“Females are all the more easy to sideline.” – Fowzia Fathima
Indian cinematographer Fowzia Fathima also shared her thoughts on workplace safety for women in showbiz in a conversation with ETimes. She stated that she had not experienced any restrictions while working with male directors on set. “In my experience, directors who choose to work with female technicians have already moved past biases or limitations, which is why I’ve faced no issues with them. Instead, I’ve experienced respect, care, and kindness. While initial temperaments may vary, the actual work has always been smooth. Having worked in Tamil, Malayalam, and Hindi industries, I’ve found that once a director decides to collaborate with me, that’s all that matters.”
“Following the Hema Committee report, some progress has been made in improving the work environment. Conscientious individuals are establishing notional complaint committees, ICCs, and involving more women in technical roles. While makeup roles, once challenging for women, have become slightly easier, change remains gradual. Notably, KSFDC projects are taking conscious steps, such as crew setups with women and grants supporting female directors. However, broader progress is still marginal and slow,” she shared.
Fathima further added, “In any industry, anyone who has a strong voice and opposes someone else will likely be blacklisted. That’s natural, whether male or female. Females are all the more easy to sideline. Definitely, it’s a comfort level. Men working with men is a comfort zone. Even if they feel like doing something differently, they have to change their basic consistency, how they work together. It’s a ‘boys club’ thing. From there to a professional workspace is a big shift. Perhaps the younger generations are more open to it, and maybe we’ll see change in the next generation. It is a generational shift, and I’m very hopeful about that. Old school is old school.”
Currently, only about 10-20% of crews are mixed, but this may change in the next decade as more women pursue technical courses. According to her, many Malayali women prefer working outside Kerala, in places like Mumbai, where gender dynamics are more fluid and less restrictive. Some explicitly avoid working in Kerala, feeling that progress there is too slow and not worth their time.
“I hope to see more women with vision stepping into production. While producers aim for profitability, market-driven decisions often dictate projects’ direction. However, initiatives like government grants can support women producers in shaping the mainstream industry,” she concluded.
Workplace safety in the world of entertainment has become one of the most significant topics of discussion, as many actors and crew members have come forward to share their unfortunate experiences on set. However, the current Hema Committee Report has certainly helped to reevaluate and strengthen the protocols moving forward.
