Kerala Culture Minister Saji Cherian Announces Safety Measures For Women In Malayalam Cinema

Following the publishing of the Hema Committee report, several instances of sexual harassment faced by women as well as misuse of power have come to the fore. Several top-notch celebrities in the Malayalam entertainment industry have been named as abusers by certain actresses. The Malayalam government has now taken note of the situation and has decided to implement certain safety measures for women working in the entertainment industry. In that context, Kerala Culture Minister Saji Cherian said that the Malayalam serial-cinema scene will be completely made women-friendly. The minister said that there will be proper legal and policy formulation.

The minister addressed attendees at the opening of the Sakhi Dormitory at Sri Theater in Thiruvananthapuram. This dormitory – a State Film Development Corporation project – aims to offer safe and comfortable lodging for women at the Kairali, Sri and Nila Theater Complexes in Thiruvananthapuram.

The state government is actively working to address issues faced by women across various sectors. In addition to creating women-friendly workplaces, efforts are also being made to empower women within the film industry. During this period, the Film Development Corporation supported the release of five films financially. The department also conducts training programs designed to encourage more women to enter technical roles in cinema.

The state government is working to create the essential technical infrastructure in Kerala, including foreign language films. This effort includes renovating Chitranjali Studio and establishing a modern studio in Kochi. The Minister stated that the state government aims to position Kerala as a global destination for cinema tourism.

Saji Cherian contended that the Kerala High Court did not criticize the ruling Left government concerning the Hema Committee report. He dismissed the reports as mere “political drama,” alleging that certain media outlets fabricated the claims. According to Cherian, the High Court’s role was limited to inquiring about the actions taken by the state government following the receipt of the report, rather than passing any judgment or criticism on the government itself.