BENGALURU: Amid opposition to a committee similar to the Justice Hema Committee in Kerala for the Kannada film industry and walkout by a few members of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), Karnataka State Women’s Commission Chairperson Nagalakshmi Chowdhary mandated the Chamber to develop a thorough action plan within 15 days to set up a committee dedicated to addressing sexual harassment.
The Commission also asked KFCC to adhere to the 17-point agenda, which includes providing basic amenities at the workplace for women film artists. The meeting witnessed heated arguments for and against setting up of the committee and ended in discord when a few members left when tensions rose.
At the meeting, convened by KFCC as directed by the Women’s Commission, the chamber was asked to propose a plan for creating a Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) committee or to explain why this could not be done. It was also found that the state’s film chamber lacks an ‘internal complaint committee’ (ICC).
Dr Nagalakshmi mentioned that a survey will be conducted to determine whether women in the film industry have experienced workplace harassment, with all responses kept confidential. The findings will be used to develop a policy or Act focused on ensuring the safety of women in the Kannada film industry.
The meeting was attended by well-known figures from the film industry, including NM Suresh, KFCC president; producer and former KFCC president Sa Ra Govindu; producer Rockline Venkatesh; actress Bhavana Ramanna; filmmaker Kavitha Lankesh; and actors Sanjjana Galrani, Neetu and Chetan Ahimsa.
Kavitha Lankesh, president of the Film Industry for Rights & Equality (FIRE), described the development as a modest yet significant step toward justice for women in the industry. “Today, it felt like we were fighting even for this small victory,” she said.
KFCC prez: We will review 17-point agenda to address sexual exploitation
Lankesh also announced plans to survey women in the industry, allowing them to anonymously share their experiences if they choose.
NM Suresh stated that the KFCC will explore ways to set up a POSH committee in the Kannada film industry and establish a panel similar to the Hema Committee. “We will review the 17-point agenda presented by the Women’s Commission to address sexual and other forms of exploitation in the industry,” he said. “A similar committee like the Hema committee can be formed, but it must go through the KFCC.”
Sa Ra Govindu told TNIE that he supports the idea of creating a POSH-like committee, but is against forming an external committee like in Kerala. “Such a move would harm the Kannada film industry, which has thrived for 90 years. It’s not suitable for our industry,” he said. “Even the women at the meeting mentioned they haven’t faced serious problems. This issue affects many fields, not just film.”
Producer Rockline Venkatesh said, “There’s no reason to be for or against this; it’s a government rule we must respect and follow. The discussion about the Hema Committee caused some division, but such debates are common. We have concerns but are open to their demands.”