Prithviraj on Hema Committee Report: Malayalam film industry could set a historic precedent in Indian cinema

Actor and producer Prithviraj Sukumaran called for those implicated in the Hema Committee report on sexual harassment to step down and cooperate with the investigation.

Speaking at a press conference in Kochi, he also acknowledged and criticised the serious lapses by the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) in handling harassment complaints. “There should have been strong interventions on the part of AMMA. These allegations should be taken seriously. If those holding positions of power face allegations, they should keep away from such positions and face the probe. There should be a thorough investigation against the accused, and if the allegations are proven, strict action should be taken. Also, if they are proved to be allegations with other intentions, those who made false allegations should be punished,” said the actor-producer.

He further emphasised that his responsibility extended beyond ensuring an internal complaints committee at his own shooting locations. He advocated for a system that mandates such committees across all film sets, underscoring the need for consistent safety measures throughout the industry.

Prithviraj also highlighted the importance of bringing women into leadership roles within the industry and opposed the practice of boycotts or bans. “If anyone is banned in a concerted manner, that should be looked into,” he remarked.

Regarding the broader implications of these issues, he expressed hope that if corrective actions are taken, the Malayalam film industry could set a historic precedent in Indian cinema for addressing such challenges.

In response to a question about the existence of a power group within the industry, as mentioned in the Hema Committee report, Prithviraj said, “I cannot say it doesn’t exist because I haven’t experienced it. If at all it is present, the group should also be held accountable. If there are people who are affected by such a group, their grievances should be addressed.”

He also candidly admitted to being a victim of industry boycotts in the past, similar to actress Parvathy Thiruvothu. “Before Parvathy, there was me, right? I’m a victim of it, right? If a group is still trying to obstruct job opportunities in cinema, it should be addressed. Legal actions must be taken against them because no one has the right to do such things to anyone.”

Prithviraj concluded by pledging to create a safe environment on his film sets, stressing that distancing oneself from these issues is not sufficient and that all industry stakeholders share a collective responsibility to ensure a safe and equitable workspace.