Arabic version: نساء في صناعة السينما في كيرالا يتحدثن ضد الاستغلال الجنسي

Priya and Rohini dreamt of working in film. But those ambitions made them a target. According to SBS News, the Malayalam cinema, known for its bold storytelling, hides a darker reality of abuse behind the scenes.

Priya (not her real name), a young model, thought she had a golden opportunity when she received a Facebook friend request from prominent actor Siddique. However, during a meeting in 2016, she alleges that Siddique coerced her into sexual advances, claiming she would need to “make adjustments” to succeed in the industry. Priya describes feeling trapped and eventually alleges that Siddique raped her, threatening her career if she spoke out.

The Malayalam film industry, or ‘Mollywood’, has been shaken by allegations of sexual harassment, which gained significant attention after a high-profile case in 2017 involving the abduction and assault of a leading actress. This incident led to public outrage and the arrest of several individuals, including actor Dileep, who has denied the charges against him.

In response to the growing movement against sexual violence, acclaimed Mollywood filmmaker Bina Paul and a group of women established the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) to advocate for reform. Their efforts led to the creation of the Hema Committee, which investigated working conditions in the industry and revealed widespread harassment and exploitation.

Rohini worked as a make-up artist and shared her experiences of harassment on set. After speaking out, she faced backlash and lost job opportunities. Her situation highlights the risks women take when challenging the status quo in a male-dominated industry. Despite the challenges, the movement for accountability continues to gain momentum, with calls for better protections and working conditions for women in the film industry.