Actress Samantha urges Telangana Govt to publish sexual harassment report

Hyderabad: Tollywood actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu has called on the Telangana government to publish a subcommittee report on sexual harassment within the Telugu Film Industry (TFI). She argues that the report is essential for formulating government and industry policies aimed at creating a safer working environment for women.

In a recent Instagram post, Samantha Ruth Prabhu expressed her support for the Hema Committee report and praised the efforts of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) in Kerala. She wrote, “We, the women of the Telugu film industry, welcome the Hema Committee report and applaud the persistent efforts of the WCC in Kerala, which has laid the path to this moment.” She also mentioned that a support group for women in the Telugu film industry, named The Voice of Women, was created in 2019 following the model of the WCC. Furthermore, she urged the Telangana government to publish the submitted sub-committee report on sexual harassment, which can help in formulating government and industry policies to establish a safe working environment for women in the Telugu film industry

Earlier in the week, Samantha had shown her support for the Hema Committee report, acknowledging the significant work of the WCC. “For years, I’ve followed the incredible work of the WCC in Kerala. Their journey has been anything but easy. Now, as the serious implications of the Hema Committee report come to light, we owe a debt of gratitude to WCC,” she stated.

The Hema Committee, formed by the Government of Kerala, investigated sexual harassment and gender discrimination in Malayalam cinema in response to a petition by the WCC following the 2017 actress assault case. Chaired by retired Kerala High Court Judge Justice K. Hema, the committee also included veteran actress Sarada and retired IAS officer K.B. Valsala Kumari as members.

The committee’s report, submitted in December 2019, was publicly released on August 19, 2024, under the RTI Act. The report reveals the existence of an influential all-male group of 15 top industry figures, including directors, producers, and actors, who allegedly controlled career opportunities and casting decisions in the Malayalam film industry.

In response to the release of the Hema Committee report, the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) dissolved its entire executive committee on August 27, 2024, for the 2024–2027 term. This move included the removal of Mohanlal, who was serving his second term as president.

Thru Instagram @Samanthaprabhu2 pushes #VoiceOfWomen request to Telangana government, to publish the submitted sub committee report on sexual harassment pic.twitter.com/ZtwYdJ7GKk

— Naveena (@TheNaveena) August 31, 2024

Inspired by #WCC pushing for #HemaCommittee in the #malayalam film industry, @Samanthaprabhu2 speaks on behalf of #TheVoiceOfWomen, a support group for women in the #TeluguFilmIndustry, and asks #Telangana govt @TelanganaCMO to release sub-committee report on sexual harassment pic.twitter.com/m9UM5w1G02

— Uma Sudhir (@umasudhir) August 31, 2024