Swara Bhasker Reacts to Hema Committee Report Findings
Swara Bhasker recently shared her thoughts on the Hema Committee Report, which exposed harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam film industry. Taking to Instagram, she expressed her heartbreak over the findings, noting that they feel all too familiar.
Praises for the Women In Cinema Collective
Swara began by commending the Women In Cinema Collective (WCC). She expressed deep gratitude for their courage in consistently raising their voices against sexual harassment and violence. Swara praised the women who testified before the Hema Committee and those who supported each other through their struggles. She called them heroes and emphasized that their actions are what people in positions of power should have already undertaken.
Showbiz as a Patriarchal Power Structure
Swara described the Hema Committee’s findings as “heartbreaking” because they resonate with her own experiences in the industry. She highlighted that showbiz has always been a male-centric and patriarchal environment. According to her, the industry is deeply sensitive to perceptions and avoids risks. Disruptions, even those for ethical reasons, are often unwelcome because of financial pressures.
Silence as the Norm in Showbiz
Swara continued by discussing how showbiz operates under a feudal structure where successful actors, directors, and producers are treated like demi-gods. This leads to a culture where unsavory actions are overlooked, and those who speak out are labeled as troublemakers. Silence, she said, is the convention—it’s practical, rewarded, and expected.
A Predatory Atmosphere
Swara pointed out that this culture of silence normalizes sexual harassment in the industry. She stressed that the responsibility for this lies with those in power, who create and perpetuate these conditions. Newcomers and others who work within this framework cannot be blamed for trying to navigate a system they didn’t create.
Swara Questions Other Language Industries
Swara noted that the Hema Committee Report focuses on the Malayalam film industry, largely because a high-profile case involving actor Dileep brought these issues to light. She questioned whether other language industries in India are even addressing similar concerns. Swara concluded by urging the industry to face these uncomfortable truths to prevent further abuses of power.
Swara captioned her post, “I’ve just got down to reading the findings of the redacted Hema Committee Report and the findings are heartbreaking… and familiar! Here are some thoughts..#sexualharassment #genderviolence #hemacommitteereport.”
Hema Committee Report Sparks Reactions
The Hema Committee report has prompted widespread calls for action. Numerous women in the Malayalam film industry have publicly accused prominent figures of sexual harassment, including director Ranjith and actors Siddique and Mukesh. The report has ignited a broader conversation about workplace harassment in the film industry.
Celebrities like Tanushree Dutta, Lakshmi Manchu, Prithviraj Sukumara, Tovino Thomas, and Parvathy Thiruvothu have also reacted to the report, adding their voices to the ongoing discourse.
