Thiruvananthapuram: The process to formulate a comprehensive cinema policy has begun. Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC) Chairman, Shaji N Karun along with a ten-member committee comprising prominent figures from the film industry will prepare a draft for the same. 

The discourse on creating a comprehensive cinema policy began during the rule of the previous government but no concrete steps were taken. 

The police will also incorporate the recommendations of the study conducted by the Justice Hema Committee on problems in the film industry and concerns in women’s safety. The government has also directed that the opinions of those working in the fields of pre-production, production, post-production and distribution be included in the policy.

The members of the committee include Culture department secretary Mini Antony as the convenor, MLA and actor M. Mukesh, actress Manju Warrier, director B. Unnikrishnan, actress Padmapriya, cinematographer Rajeev Ravi, actress Nikhila Vimal, producer Santosh Kuruvila and Film Academy secretary Ajoy Chandran.

The draft will be submitted to the government within two months. Comprehensive cinema policy and a special authority for cinema affairs were the recommendations made by the previous government. But the film industry unions do not agree with the ‘authority’ recommendation.

Although some of the recommendations of the Hema Committee were discussed, the government has not released a report in its entirety. The erstwhile committee was presided over by Justice Hema and actress Sarada, former IAS officer K.B Vatsala Kumari were members.

Following discussions at varied levels, the only major change that has happened is that internal redressal committees have been established in centers where film-related work is carried out. A report submitted years ago by a committee chaired by  Adoor Gopalakrishnan is still before the government.