'The Kerala Story' Director Sudipto Sen: Film industry is a very, very regressive place

Why is the Kerala government scared of the male-dominated Malayalam film industry, 'The Kerala Story' Director Sudipto Sen said while speaking exclusively to Mathrubhumi about the Hema Committee report and the subsequent turmoil that has gripped the Malayalam film industry.

Sen said, "So, I am happy that the Kerala government took a step five years back to form this commission. Though they have come out with a selective portion of the report. Why has the entire report not been exposed yet? Why is the government scared of these male-bastion patriarchs? It's a big milestone in the Indian cinema industry. We must take it seriously." 

"I call for a larger action. Those who are dealing with the cinema industry, must take cognizance of the report and they should come up with their own similar investigations and take immediate action. I am personally very angry. I am ashamed that I am a part of this industry," he added. 

While shedding light on the disturbing revelations of the Hema Committee Report, which has sent shockwaves through the Malayalam film industry, Sen pulled no punches while discussing the rampant sexual harassment of women at workplaces across Indian film industries, including Bollywood. 

Highlighting the urgent need for systemic change, the ace director also emphasizes the shocking lack of basic facilities, such as clean washrooms for female crew members, on film sets and appealed to the Government of India to take immediate action on the report's findings, advocating for a unified committee to address these issues across the Indian film industries.

Sen wished that other state governments do something similar to the Kerala government and form a committee. "Gratitude to the Kerala government for showing this emotion and the right vision that a committee like this was made to pull up so many sexual predators and reflecting on how the film industry is in the clutches of those predators. I am happy that the government showed their sensibility and their sympathy for the women workers of the industry. I wish Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and other governments -- wherever there is a film industry -- also learn and show sensitivity," he said.

The director also highlighted that these issues are rampant in the entertainment industry as a whole. Explaining this in detail, he said, "We always know that this (the entertainment industry) is a very, very regressive place because we know that exactly the same thing is going on in the television industry, in theater, and any kind of art form... Music... everywhere..."

Sen went on to point out how India ridiculed the #MeToo movement when sexual harassment cases were brought in light in India. 

"When the #MeToo movement started in Hollywood, we did not do that. Our Indian cinema, Indian society did not do that. In fact, we laughed at them because whenever there was any kind of #MeToo allegation came up it was ridiculed. Whoever raised their voice, the society ridiculed them all, including Tanushree Dutta," he said.

Terming Hema Committee's findings as "path breaking", Sen said that the report is "a mirror of how bad, how wrong this society is". 

"Kerala being the most literate state and culturally awakened state along with (West) Bengal. But I am 100% sure that in Bengal if there is any Hema Committee, the similar situation will come out. Just imagine the sensibility like in Mumbai, no studios in Mumbai have a proper urinal for women. There is no proper restroom for women. A friend of mine, who was the secretary of art direction of Union of Art Directors, Sukant Panigrahi, once started a movement called the Little Finger. There was a sit-in in front of the film city. There was a lot of hue and cry, but it all went in the deaf years of the authority," he said.

Sen further recalled a horrific incident that happened a few years ago. He claimed, "Once I recall I was in Banjara Hills in Hyderabad. In the room opposite to mine, there were two girls. Perhaps, they were junior actors or lesser-known actors. They were sharing the room. The whole night men were entering their room and coming out, and it went on till morning. I knew what was going on but my hands were tied so I couldn’t protest there. I tried to raise an alarm but the hotel authority has defunct the telephone line. So, it is hand-in-glove with everything."

Given the seriousness of the situation and the report’s findings, Sen urged the central government to step in and take a strict action. He said, "The Government of India must take cognizance of the Hema Committee Report. They must act towards it. Otherwise, we are heading to a complete failure of humanity, and every parameter of civility and cultural civilization."

When asked why there has been no action from any of the film industries so far, given that sexual harassment cases have come to light several times in the past, the 'Bastar' director said, "Our society is anti-women. Every law, every system, every ritual is against women. Everything is against women. And this regression is being manipulated with every moment, every step by the men. They make the system according to their convenience."

Sen was also quick to call out women political leaders, accusing them of being selective with their reaction towards such horrific incidents. 

"What is happening in Kolkata, do you think that it is something that is an isolation? It is happening in every lane, every corner, every village, every town, every city in this country. Film industry, being an organized sector, there is no woman's voice. Women's voices there are politicized. The women leaders are so selective. First they will see if the accused is from their party or not. If he is, then she decides to keep mum. Every woman leader in a political party is selective of their reaction," he alleged.

"The women leadership of the country has also succumbed to this system. They raise their voice for international aspects but the basic thing is that the women organizations need to sit in front of film city to raise the voice for basic amenities like toilets or organize late night drop-offs for women crew in the film industry for their safety. These are basic things. Definitely, they will not make any tectonic shifts but at least the consciousness level will increase," he added.

Adding to it, Sen also recalled one of his femals crew members speaking to him about being vulnerable to sexual harassment. 

"I know many girls who are aware that at any point of time, how vulnerable they are. I heard one of the girls from my team. She told me that every day they move out, they prepare themselves to face such incidents. They know they are vulnerable, but lack of sensibility and that people do not talk about this issue is a problem," he said.

Sen also said that he feels 'ashamed to be a part of this system in the industry where women are not being respected'. 

"I think every producers' association, directors' association, actors' association should be accountable for that. Every complaint, every issue must be addressed. There has to be zero tolerance towards it," he said.

Furthermore, Sen said how all industries need to come together to raise their voice against such offenses and provide women with a safer workplace. 

"Now South Indian producers are minting money in North and North Indian producers are making money in the South. So, the Hema Committee's findings should be taken as a common ground for the entire country, wherever there is a film industry. I have heard stories from the Punjab film industry, Haryana film industry. Even recently, I came across some incidents from the Chhattisgarhi film industry, which is making five-six films a year. I strictly maintain a zero tolerance policy in our production house against sexual harassment. We have an extremely sensitive approach towards women members on the sets. For every 20 girls, there has to be a clean and dedicated washroom and a separate resting place for them," Sen said.

He went on to add that a similar committee needs to be framed for the Hindi film industry, claiming that the situation there will turn out to be worse than that of the Malayalam film industry. 

"The Hema Committee Report may be a finding of the Malayalam film industry but it is a grassroot report for the entire committee. I am sure that the film industry in Mumbai must have their own Hema Committee investigation. The Maharashtra government must investigate whatever is happening in the Hindi film industry, which I am sure will be worse than the Malayalam film industry.”

When asked if Bollywood needed to speak up on the findings of the Hema Committee Report, and he strongly criticized them saying, "Absolutely! I’m surprised that the so-called Mumbai biggies have not put up any kind of tweet or social media reaction on the report. It is a shame that they have not done it so far. They must come clean. If anyone is shying away from making their opinion on the Hema Committee report, I consider them as a part of this system. Every film star or producer should come up with their reaction. The Mumbai film industry must come together and raise their voice. There should be zero tolerance."