A commission appointed by the CPI(M) led Government in Kerala has found that casting couch is predominant in Malayalam film industry. The commission, headed by K Hema, a former judge of the Kerala High Court, has said in its report that Malayalam films are not safe for female artists. "One has to surrender and part with their bodies with male members of the film industry to get a foothold in films," said Hema Committee Report, the findings of which were released to the general public on Monday. The report also substantiates the allegation that the Malayalam fim industry has become a den of drugs and liquor.

The Hema Commission was appointed following the widespread agitation in Kerala as a result of the kidnap and rape of a popular film actress at Ernakulam in which the Malayalam film industry's "most popular hero" Dileep figures as an accused.

Dileep was arrested and incarcerated in jail for more than three months in connection with the case. Though the sexual molestation took place in 2017, trial is yet to begin in the case as a result of legal objections raised by Dilip at each stage of the case.

The commission also says that there is systematic sexual harassment against women in the Malayalam film industry. What makes Hema Commission of Enquiry is the fact that it is the first its kind committee appointed anywhere in India to study the exploitation and harassment faced by female artists. The committee interacted with members of Women's Collective in Cinema and individual artists who shared shocking revelations about the goings on in Malayalam films which critics rate as the best in the country.

The report discloses that there exists power groups in the Malayalam industry where female artists are subjected to sexual harassment .The report talks about casting couch, pay disparities and lack of privacy and adequate facilities for women in the industry.

Malayalam film industry has become a den of all major vices including liquor, drugs and pornography, said the Hema Commission Report. It says the victims of harassment hesitated to approach the police due to fear for their lives. It may be noted that many male artists themselves have come out alleging rampant drug misuse in Malayalam film industry.

Senior film artist Siddique who is the newly elected general secretary of Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) told reporters that he would react about the commission's findings after studying the 233 page report. "This is an important document and we have to study the findings before arriving at a conclusion," said Siddique.

The Hema Commission Report has unraveled the true picture of the goings in Malayalam film industry. Sarada, who has been honored with Urvashi Award, the national honor for the best actress in the country, has said that Malayalam film industry has to improve a lot from the present state of affairs. "There is no basic facilities like change and wash rooms and there is wide disparity in the payments for men and women artists," said Sarada.