The Hema Committee Tracker
We’re closely tracking the developments surrounding the Hema Committee report which has unveiled pervasive issues of sexual harassment and abuse within Malayalam cinema. As new allegations emerge, including those against Siddique, we remain committed to the pursuit of justice and accountability for influential individuals implicated in these matters.
February 2017: A Malayalam actress was kidnapped and subjected to sexual assault by a gang of men who were allegedly hired by popular actor Dileep
Prominent actor Dileep arrested in 2017
July 2017: Dileep was arrested by an SIT which said that there was circumstantial evidence for his alleged conspiracy with the accused.
1 November 2017: The Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) was formed, following the 2017 assault case. The society aimed to bring awareness about misogynistic practices in the Malayalam film industry, voice out the concerns of female artists, and promote gender neutral practices. The WCC submitted a petition to the Government of Kerala, demanding an investigation into the allegations against Dileep and protesting the AMMA’s decision to reinstate him.
The members of Women in Cinema Collective
2017: In response to the petition, the Government of Kerala formed the Justice Hema Committee, led by retired Judge K. Hema, to investigate sexual harassment and gender equality issues in Malayalam cinema.
December 2019: The Hema Committee submitted a 295-page report discussing the perpetual sexual harassment faced by female artists in the industry.
19 August 2024: After five exhaustive years of relentless RTI filings by the WCC and independent media organizations, the Hema Committee report was finally released—albeit with 60 pages redacted. The report uncovered a secretive all-male power network consisting of 15 high-profile figures in the industry, including directors, producers, and actors.
Hema Committee Report published
23 August 2024:
On August 23, the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) held a press conference where they refuted the existence of an all-controlling power lobby within the Malayalam cinema industry.
AMMA conference after the publication of the Hema Committee Report (L to R- Jayan, Siddique and Jomol)
24 August 2024:
Renowned Malayalam actor Siddique resigned as the General Secretary of AMMA after being accused of sexual assault by a popular Malayalam actress.
On the same day, director Ranjith also stepped down as the chairman of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy in response to allegations of misconduct made by Bengali actor Sreelekha Mitra.
Sreelekha Mitra (left), Ranjith (right)
26 August 2024:
- Actors Sridevika and Geetha Vijayan have accused senior Malayalam director Thulasidas of harassment. Despite filing a formal complaint with the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), Sridevika stated that no action was taken against Thulasidas.
(L to R) Thulasidas, Geetha Vijayan and Sridevika
- A female Malayalam script writer accused actor-director VK Prakash of sexual misconduct, alleging that he forced himself on her and tried to bribe her to keep silent. She expressed shock, stating that she had admired his films and never expected him to act this way. The scriptwriter has come forward with her story following the release of the Hema Committee Report.
VK Prakash
- Actress Minu Muneer alleged that four prominent figures— CPI (M) MLA Mukesh, Maniyanpilla Raju, Idavela Abu, and Jayasurya—physically and verbally abused her while she was working on a film set in 2013.
(L to R) Jayasoorya, Minu Muneer, Mukesh
- MLA Mukesh also faces accusations from a casting director and another woman alleging sexual misconduct and demanding favours for AMMA membership. His ex-wife has also accused him of abusive behavior.
27 August 2024:
- A former junior artiste has filed a sexual assault complaint against Malayalam actor Baburaj and director VA Shrikumar, addressing the special investigation team (SIT) appointed by the Kerala government. She alleges that Baburaj assaulted her in his home under the pretense of discussing a film role, and Shrikumar abused her in a hotel in 2020. The complaints follow the release of the Hema Committee report, which highlighted widespread sexual harassment in Malayalam cinema. Baburaj has denied the allegations, claiming they are part of a conspiracy, while the complainant cited the report as a key factor in her decision to come forward.
(L to R) Baburaj, V A Shrikumar
- Former junior artiste Minu Kurian accused actor and CPI(M) MLA Mukesh of sexual harassment, alongside other industry figures. The complaint follows the Hema Committee report, which exposed widespread abuse in Malayalam cinema. Kurian alleged Mukesh harassed her on multiple occasions and manipulated her career prospects. Mukesh has dismissed these claims as attempts to blackmail him. The allegations come amid a broader #MeToo movement in the industry, prompting calls for justice and accountability.
- All office bearers of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), including President Mohanlal, resigned amid a surge of sexual harassment allegations. This follows accusations against several members of the AMMA executive committee, including former general secretary Siddique, vice-president Jeyan R, and joint secretary Baburaj. The resignations came in response to the Hema Committee report, which highlighted issues of abuse in the Malayalam film industry. AMMA announced that the existing committee would serve temporarily until a new leadership is elected within two months.
Mohanlal
28 August 2024:
- Siddique was booked for rape and criminal intimidation under sections 376 and 506 of the IPC. The complaint, filed by a young actor, details alleged assaults dating back to 2016. Siddique, who resigned as the general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (A.M.M.A.) following these allegations, has denied the charges, claiming they are fabricated. He has also filed a counter-complaint accusing the actor of attempting to blackmail him.
- The Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA), a union representing film industry technicians, has called for the public release of the names of individuals accused in the Justice Hema Committee report. The federation also committed to offering legal and psychological support to the survivors.
29 August 2024
- Kollam CPI(M) MLA and actor M Mukesh has been charged by the Kerala police on Thursday, August 29, for allegedly sexually abusing a female actor. The case was registered by the Maradu police following a complaint from the survivor. According to police sources, Mukesh faces charges under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 509 (word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
MLA M Mukesh
- Actor Jayasurya has been booked by Kerala police for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman. The FIR was registered at the Cantonment police station in Thiruvananthapuram, following a complaint by the survivor. In addition to this, she has filed six other complaints, including one against CPI(M) MLA and actor M Mukesh, who has also been booked. According to police sources, Jayasurya has been charged under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for assault or criminal force with intent to outrage a woman’s modesty.
Jayasurya
- A group of 100 women writers and activists, including KR Meera, VP Suhara, Sara Joseph, and K Ajitha, have called for the resignation of actor-politician M Mukesh from his roles as MLA and a member of the Film Policy Committee, following sexual harassment allegations against him. Mukesh was booked by Kerala police on August 29 under IPC sections 354 and 509. The women’s joint statement highlighted multiple accusations against Mukesh, including domestic violence, rape, and workplace harassment, and warned of fierce protests if he remains in office.
- The Ernakulam Principal Sessions court has stayed the arrest of actor-politician M Mukesh in a sexual assault case. Mukesh, who faces allegations of abusing a woman actor, was booked by Maradu police on August 29. The case is scheduled for a hearing on September 3.
30 August 2024
- Jayasurya has been booked in a second sexual assault case by Kerala police on August 30, based on a complaint from an actor who alleged that he assaulted her on a film set in Thodupuzha. This follows a similar complaint filed on August 29, accusing him of assault during a shoot in the state secretariat.
Read More:
Sexual Harassment and Power Play: How the Hema Commission Report Exposes Mollywood’s Dark Secrets
