State Government. is criticized for unilaterally forming a film policy panel

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The decision by state governments to form a committee to develop a film policy has been criticized by various film bodies, who have accused the government of forming the committee unilaterally without consulting stakeholders in the Malayalam film industry. The Women in Cinema Collective and the Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce criticized the way the committee was set up. Some of the committee members were reportedly not consulted before their names were announced.

The 10-member committee, led by filmmaker Shaji N. Karun, includes actors M. Mukesh, MLA, Manju Warrier, Padmapriya and Nikhila Vimal, filmmakers Rajeev Ravi and B. Unnikrishnan, producer Santhosh Kuruvila and State Chalachitra Academy Secret and C. I added as members.

As per the order, the committee will also consider the report of the Hema committee to address issues of sexual harassment and gender inequality in the Malayalam film industry and include appropriate recommendations from it in its report. Consultations would also be conducted with people from across the industry. The draft film policy must be prepared within two months.

The government has been criticized for not acting on the Hema Committee report submitted to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on December 31, 2019. Although the government formed another group to study the report in January 2022, following criticism, the group is not known to have met to date or taken action on the recommendations.

WCC concerns

The WCC, in a statement, said the latest committee was formed without due regard to the consent of its members. The role and status of this committee remain unclear, leaving us uncertain about its potential impact. Will it be a statutory body? And will its recommendations, like those of the Hema Committee report, be left to languish, gather dust without meaningful implementation? This approach seems to indicate a troubling disregard for a truly pressing concern that has been repeatedly raised. We firmly believe that arbitrary committees do not offer a viable solution to deep-rooted problems in our workplace, the statement said.

The WCC further stated that it is imperative to focus on enforcement of existing laws and regulations while encouraging genuine interest in cultivating equitable space for all. Creating a representative, skilled and empowered committee is key to positive and lasting transformation, he said.

Position of ministers

The Film Chamber said none of the film bodies, including the Producers Association, the Exhibitors Union and the Film Distributors Association, were consulted before the committee was formed.

Separately, Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cherian told reporters on Monday that broad consultations would be held within the film industry before finalizing the policy. A mega conclave would be organized for this purpose.

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