Swara Bhasker recently expressed her deep concern and solidarity after reading the findings of the Hema Committee Report, which exposed widespread harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam film industry. The actor took to Instagram to pen a heartfelt note, where she highlighted the distressing familiarity of the report’s revelations, calling them “heartbreaking because it is familiar.” She acknowledged the male-centric and patriarchal nature of showbiz, which she believes normalizes predatory behavior and silences victims.
Swara lauded the brave efforts of the Women In Cinema Collective (WCC) for their relentless fight against sexual harassment and violence in the industry. She praised their courage in demanding the establishment of an expert committee to examine the working conditions of women and offer solutions. Swara’s note emphasized how the industry often rewards silence and labels those who speak out as “trouble-makers,” thus perpetuating a toxic environment where power dynamics favor the perpetrators.
She pointed out that these issues are not confined to the Malayalam industry alone but are prevalent across all film industries in India. Swara questioned whether other regional film industries are even addressing such issues, stressing the importance of confronting uncomfortable truths to protect vulnerable individuals.
She wrote, “I finally got around to reading about the findings of the Hema Committee Report. Before anything else, a big big hug and gratitude to the brave women of the Women In Cinema Collective (WCC) who have consistently raised their voice against sexual harassment and violence, who demanded that an expert committee examine the working conditions of women in their industry and suggest solutions, who testified before the Hema Committee, who’ve held the hands of and provided solace to each other and to all women who have suffered sexual harassment and violence in the industry. You are heroes and you are doing the work that people in positions of greater power ought to have done already. Respect and solidarity with you!”
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“It has been heartbreaking to read the findings of the committee. More heartbreaking because it is familiar. Maybe not every detail and not every nitty gritty but the larger picture of what the women have testified to is all too familiar. Showbiz is and always has been a male-centric industry, a patriarchal power set-up. It’s also deeply perception-sensitive and risk-averse. Every day of production – shoot days but also pre and post-production days – are days when the meter is running and money is being spent. No one likes a disruption. Even if the disruptor has raised her voice for what is ethically correct. It’s so much more convenient and financially practical to just carry on,” she added.
Swara added, “Showbiz is not just patriarchal, it’s also feudal in character. Successful actors, directors and producers are elevated to the status of demi-gods and anything they do goes. If they do something unsavoury, the norm for everyone around is to look away. If someone makes too much noise and doesn’t let an issue drop, label them ‘trouble-makers’ and let them bear the brunt of their overenthusiastic conscience. Silence is the convention. Silence is appreciated. Silence is practical and silence is rewarded.”
“This happens everywhere in the world. This is how sexual harassment in showbiz is normalised and this is how a predatory atmosphere becomes ‘the way things are.’ Let’s be clear, when power equations are so skewed, newcomers and other women who accept these conditions cannot be blamed for working within a framework they have not created. Accountability must always be sought from those who hold the reins of power and who create conditions where women have no choice if they want work,” the actor wrote.
The Hema Committee Report has sparked widespread discussion and calls for accountability in the Malayalam film industry. Following the report, numerous women actors have come forward with allegations of sexual harassment against prominent figures, including director Ranjith and actors Siddique and Mukesh. The revelations have prompted reactions from various celebrities, including Tanushree Dutta, Lakshmi Manchu, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Tovino Thomas, and Parvathy Thiruvothu, who have joined the chorus demanding justice and change.
Swara’s note underscores the urgent need for systemic change in the film industry, advocating for accountability from those in power and expressing solidarity with those who have courageously come forward to share their experiences.
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