Parvathy Thiruvothu, a well-known actress in the Malayalam film industry, has once again raised her voice on a sensitive and long-standing issue. She recently criticized Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for the government’s inaction on the Hema Committee report. This report was prepared to address sexual harassment, discrimination, and workplace safety issues faced by women in cinema. Parvathy’s strong words have created a buzz both within the film fraternity and among the general public.
The Hema Committee was formed in 2017 after the shocking abduction and assault of a popular Malayalam actress. The Kerala government appointed veteran actress Hema to lead the committee, which interviewed several female actors, technicians, and crew members. The main objective was to understand the challenges faced by women in the industry. After months of research, the committee submitted its final report in December 2019. However, even after all this time, the report remains unpublished, and no action has been taken based on its findings.
Parvathy Thiruvothu has openly questioned this delay. She said, “Can we please focus on the actual reason why the Hema report was created in the first place?” Her statement clearly showed her frustration over how the real issues are being ignored. She reminded everyone that the aim of the report was to bring justice to women and improve their working conditions in the film industry. According to her, turning a blind eye to these findings only strengthens the toxic culture of silence and exploitation.
The delay in publishing and acting on the report is seen by many as a serious failure. It reflects a lack of political will to protect women in the entertainment industry. The findings of the report are believed to include several shocking testimonies of harassment, mental abuse, wage discrimination, and poor working environments. Ignoring such evidence, as Parvathy says, sends a dangerous message to victims who were brave enough to come forward.
Support for Parvathy’s statement has poured in from various corners. Members of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) and other female actors have backed her call for transparency and accountability. They argue that the government should not treat such a critical issue with casual neglect. According to them, the Hema Committee report could be a turning point in the history of Malayalam cinema if used properly.
This is not the first time Parvathy Thiruvothu has spoken out against power structures and gender bias in the film world. She previously made headlines when she resigned from AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists) after it reinstated actor Dileep, an accused in the actress assault case. Her actions over the years have shown that she is not afraid to take a strong moral stand, even if it means going against powerful institutions.
The Kerala Chief Minister, however, has remained silent on this matter. There has been no official response or explanation on why the report has been withheld. Many people are now demanding the immediate release of the report and legal action based on its contents. Women’s rights activists and legal experts also support this demand, saying that the state has a legal and moral responsibility to act on the findings of a government-appointed committee.
This issue has also gained attention on social media. Netizens are showing their support by using hashtags like #JusticeForActresses, #PublishHemaReport, and #StandWithParvathy. Many social media users praised her for her bravery, saying that she is setting an example for others by not staying silent. These online voices are urging the government to end the delay and bring about real change.
Legal experts say that keeping the report hidden is not only irresponsible, but possibly unconstitutional. According to them, women who participated in the research did so with the hope that their stories would be heard and justice would be served. Suppressing the report discourages other victims from coming forward in the future. Experts are calling for the creation of independent monitoring bodies and strict laws to ensure that women in cinema are safe and respected.
The Malayalam film industry has often been criticized for being male-dominated, with women having limited opportunities for growth and safety. The only way to change this, say activists, is to implement strong reforms such as mandatory POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) training, setting up grievance redressal systems, ensuring equal pay, and giving women more leadership roles in film unions and production houses.Parvathy Thiruvothu’s strong statement is not just a criticism of the Kerala government—it is a call to stand up for what is right.
The Hema Committee report was meant to improve the lives of women in Malayalam cinema, but without government action, its purpose is lost. If the Kerala CM wants to build a fair and safe working environment, he must listen to these voices and act now. As Parvathy rightly said, we need to focus on the actual reasons the report was created, not just political drama.
