All posts tagged: Justice Hema Committee report

Why Malayalam cinema’s ‘ethereal beauty’ Suparna Anand quit industry just after 3 years | Malayalam News

Why Malayalam cinema’s ‘ethereal beauty’ Suparna Anand quit industry just after 3 years | Malayalam News

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5 min readKochiUpdated: Jul 22, 2026 09:02 PM IST It is doubtful if any other Malayalam filmmakers have portrayed female beauty on screen as alluringly and enchantingly as Bharathan and Padmarajan. One of the biggest attractions of their portrayals was that they never went over the board while presenting the female actors. Instead, they allowed them to exist as themselves, unapologetically flaunting every shade of femininity within. Among the female actors, Suparna Anand uniquely had the opportunity to be portrayed on screen through the creative lenses of both filmmakers. Although she appeared in only five Malayalam movies during her career, each remains etched in the minds of the audience for various reasons. Thanks to the way Bharathan depicted her in Vaisali (1988) and Padmarajan in Njan Gandharvan (1991), she remains the embodiment of ethereal beauty in the Malayali psyche, three decades after she bid adieu to the movies. Must Read | ‘Could be your family tomorrow’: Vismaya Mohanlal, Tovino Thomas support CJP protests Vaisali: The Mahabharata adaptation that changed her life Hailing from Mumbai, Suparna …

Shwetha Menon denies taking money from BJP: ‘Fight is solely against power group in cine body’ | Malayalam News

Shwetha Menon denies taking money from BJP: ‘Fight is solely against power group in cine body’ | Malayalam News

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5 min readKochiJul 21, 2026 04:44 PM IST Refuting allegations that she has links with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and that she purportedly accepted crores from it to find candidates in the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections, actor Shwetha Menon, who serves as the president of the Association of Malayalam Artistes (AMMA), came down heavily on those constantly “insulting” her, thus “diverting attention from the real issues.” Maintaining that her battle is solely against the “power group” within the organisation, among whom several have faced sexual misconduct allegations in the aftermath of the Justice Hema Committee report’s release, Shwetha asserted that she will not be intimidated or silenced. She further urged those constantly slandering her not to “divide the organisation.” Must Read | Kangana Ranaut says MPs feared mob attack during CJP protest, calls Delhi Police their ‘shield’ ‘My fight is solely against power group’: Shwetha Menon hits back In a lengthy statement shared on social media, she noted that she had intentionally avoided public reactions thus far, but those accused in the Hema Committee …

‘Newcomers are still exploited’: Parvathy Thiruvothu calls out lack of contracts in cinema | Malayalam News

‘Newcomers are still exploited’: Parvathy Thiruvothu calls out lack of contracts in cinema | Malayalam News

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The Justice Hema Committee report that rocked Malayalam show business in August 2024 flagged not just chilling issues such as the casting couch and ostracism of those who refuse to comply with the demands of the powerful, but also a lack of basic facilities on sets and pay disparities. It basically highlighted extreme discrimination and exploitation faced by marginalised groups, particularly women. About two years later, actor Parvathy Thiruvothu — one of the founding members of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), which played a key role in the constitution of the three-member committee headed by retired High Court judge Justice K Hema — says that newcomers continue to be exploited by the industry, where they even work without proper contracts. Must Read | Parvathy Thiruvothu discusses female representation, activism and I, Nobody at Expresso Although Malayalam cinema has witnessed a paradigm shift over the past eight to nine years, she noted that it is still fear-based and not because people feel that such exploitation and discrimination are fundamentally wrong. While she is happy with …

‘What is wrong with you?’: Ranjini Haridas recalls disturbing behaviour by top actor | Malayalam News

‘What is wrong with you?’: Ranjini Haridas recalls disturbing behaviour by top actor | Malayalam News

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3 min readKochiJun 9, 2026 01:22 PM IST The Justice Hema Committee report that rocked the Malayalam film industry in 2024 made it clear that women face discrimination, exploitation, and harassment not just on-screen but in real life too. Recently, television presenter-model Ranjini Haridas revealed certain harrowing experiences she faced in her career, underscoring that there are likely several more women who have faced similar mistreatment but are yet to speak up. ‘Famous figure in music industry asked me to sleep with him’ In a video she recently shared on her YouTube channel, Ranjini spoke about the misconduct she experienced from a famous figure in the music industry and a prominent actor. Without naming either of them, she revealed that a well-known figure in the music world once asked her to sleep with him. She added that his arrogant response, after she made it clear she was not interested, left her stunned. “I knock on every door; those who are interested will open, and those who aren’t can go,” Ranjini quoted him as saying. In …

Months after mass resignations in AMMA amid sexual misconduct allegations, actor-minister Suresh Gopi initiates steps to form new executive committee | Malayalam News

Months after mass resignations in AMMA amid sexual misconduct allegations, actor-minister Suresh Gopi initiates steps to form new executive committee | Malayalam News

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Over two months after the office bearers of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), including president Mohanlal, submitted a mass resignation, actor and Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi has announced that a new executive committee will soon be formed. Suresh made this statement while addressing questions from the media as he exited AMMA’s office in Kochi, after having attended the Kerala Piravi celebrations there. The Thrissur MP arrived for the event with his family. When asked about the timing for forming a new committee and if any discussions were held on this matter, Suresh revealed that today’s gathering marked the beginning of that process. “Let responsible ones come forward now,” he added. On being asked about his view on the previous committee’s mass resignation, the parliamentarian responded with a wide and sarcastic smile and said, “I have shared my opinion (on this) with the organisation,” indicating his reluctance to make any public comment on the matter. He also declined to comment on whether Mohanlal would return as AMMA’s …

Padmapriya says Tamil film director slapped her publicly, but media blamed her: ‘No one questioned why…’

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Oct 02, 2024 12:14 PM IST South actor Padmapriya has revealed that she was slapped by a Tamil filmmaker in public but the media misreported the incident blaming her. Malayalam film actor Padmapriya Janakiraman, known as Padmapriya, recently shared an incident that happened with her on the sets of a Tamil film years ago, where a filmmaker slapped her in front of several people. The actor added that in place of calling the filmmaker out, the media reports blamed her. Padmapriya’s comments have come in the wake of increased focus on misogyny and sexual abuse in Malayalam cinema following the findings of the Justice Hema committee. (Also read: Chef actor Padmapriya explains her absence from Bollywood) Padmapriya has talked about an unsavoury incident that took place with her on the set of a Tamil film Padmapriya on how she was slapped by a director Padmapriya was addressing an audience at an event in Kozhikode on Tuesday where she made these remarks but without naming the filmmaker in question or revealing which film she was talking …

Shabana Azmi reacts to Hema Committee report at IIFA 2024: ‘Women in India were suppressed across centuries’ | Bollywood

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Sep 28, 2024 06:14 AM IST Shabana Azmi recently reacted to Justice Hema Committee Report. The veteran actor said that Mahesh Bhatt’s Arth is much more relevant in today’s times. Shabana Azmi is known for her strong opinions on issues concerning, cinema, society, politics and women empowerment. The veteran actor recently expressed her views on the Justice Hema Committee Report. Shabana, during her media interactions at IIFA (International Indian Film Academy Awards) 2024, spoke about the current scenario and suppression of women across centuries. (Also read: Vidya Balan shares heartfelt note as Shabana Azmi completes 50 years in Cinema, calls her ‘strongest influence’) Shabana Azmi reflected on the condition of Indian women while reacting to Hema Committee report. Shabana Azmi on Justice Hema Committee Report When asked about the Justice Hema Committee Report, following the harassment faced by female artists in Malayalam cinema, Shabana said, “You must understand that women in India have had their own journey across centuries. From 16th to 21st, they’ve progressed, but are also suppressed. Women have been this contradiction in …

Vikrant Massey says he feels ‘ashamed’ that he is ‘more secure than the opposite sex’: ‘A lot of us need to look at the rot within’ | Bollywood News

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Actor Vikrant Massey, known for his work in films like 12th Fail, Haseen Dilruba, Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba, has earned a loyal fan base. The actor, who is now seen in Netflix film Sector 36, recently opened up about his take of the Justice Hema Committee report. He also said that serious offences like rape deserve the worst kind of punishment. In a chat with The Hindu, when Vikrant was asked about his take on the Justice Hema Committee report that exposed the exploitation of women within the Malayalam film industry, he said that he wouldn’t just restrict the lack of women’s safety at workplace to a film set. “I think I would just not narrow it down to a film set. Without discrediting what happened down south in the Malayalam film industry, without discrediting the Hema Committee… but I think I would not want to narrow it down to just what has happened down there. There are equally important issues that need to be looked into,” he said. He added, “As a man I …

Special HC bench to hear matters related to Malayalam film industry sexual abuse | Latest News India

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Sep 05, 2024 02:38 PM IST The Justice Hema Committee report documented systemic sexual abuse of women actors and technicians in the Malayalam film industry A special Kerala high court bench will hear matters related to the Justice Hema Committee report that documented systemic sexual abuse of women actors and technicians in the Malayalam film industry. It was unclear whether the special bench will have a woman judge head. (PTI) A bench of acting Chief Justice A Muhamed Mustaque and Justice S Manu announced the formation of the special bench in open court on Thursday while hearing producer Sajimon Parayil’s appeal against a single-judge bench order approving the decision to release the panel report after redacting sensitive information. It was unclear whether the special bench will have a woman judge head. There was also no clarity on how many judges will be part of it. The special bench is also likely to hear pleas demanding criminal action against those named in the report and a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the allegations of sexual …

Senior Malayalam actor Sheela flays those demanding proof in harassment cases: ‘Can we take selfie when someone suddenly hugs or kisses us?’ | Malayalam News

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The latest wave of the MeToo movement in Kerala has already gained significant momentum and shaken the foundations of many powerhouses, with the accused facing both legal heat and public outrage. Meanwhile, various organisations associated with Malayalam cinema, including the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) and the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA), are also under heavy scrutiny for their actions — or lack thereof — and their past attempts to dismiss similar complaints as isolated cases. The release of the Justice Hema Committee report and several allegations of sexual misconduct that surfaced against many male industry members, including those from AMMA, in its aftermath, has created a rift in the industry, with various celebrities either supporting the survivors or backing the powerhouses that are in denial and have taken a defensive stand. Now, legendary actor Sheela, one of the senior most members of the industry, has come forward extending solidarity to the women who have been facing these challenges. “I know the struggles women go through to act in movies. There are some …