Indian Cinema’s Reckoning: #MeToo, the Hema Committee, and the Fight Against Sexual Harassment

The Indian film industry is experiencing a significant reckoning with its past, as the #MeToo movement and the Justice Hema Committee report continue to shed light on the widespread issue of sexual harassment. Accusations against Vijay Sethupathi have reignited this conversation, revealing the alleged exploitation of young women in exchange for roles or other favors. The Hema Committee’s investigation, stemming from the abduction and sexual assault of a Malayalam actress, unearthed a systemic culture of abuse within Mollywood. The report, though initially suppressed, led to the public naming of alleged perpetrators and sparked a wave of new allegations. Cases against Siddique, Mukesh, and the actions of those within Bollywood also add weight to the conversation around accountability. The Hema Committee’s impact extends beyond Mollywood, with calls for similar probes in Tamil, Kannada, and Bengali cinema, revealing a collective desire for change and reform.