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Hindustan Times
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Sandra Thomas wears burqa in protest against sex offenders in positions of power at Kerala Film Producers Association
Actor-producer Sandra Thomas shocked everyone when she turned up in a burqa to file her nomination at the Kerala Film Producers Association (KFPA) for the upcoming elections. After filing her nomination, she told the press why she wore it in protest against sexual offenders sitting in positions of power. Sandra Thomas told the press that her wearing a burqa was a form of protest against the abusers in Producers Association. Sandra Thomas wears burqa to protest against sex offenders In videos Sandra re-shared on her Instagram, she can be seen dressed in a black burqa, with only her face left visible, as she filed a nomination at the KFPA. Manorama Online reported that she said, 'In light of my previous experience, I feel a veil is appropriate attire to wear in the presence of the current office bearers. This is also my protest against the four accused, who have been accused of a serious crime, still being administrators here. Moreover, they are also contesting in the upcoming elections as president and secretary.' Sandra also reportedly told the press that the KFPA is 'not a safe place for women', adding, 'This is an organisation that has been monopolised by ten to fifteen people for decades now. Changes must be made. No matter what place it is, it will stagnate if only a few people control it. The Producers Association is below all organisations in Malayalam cinema today because the current rulers have brought it to that state. The industry will only change when changes are made here.' About Sandra Thomas This is not the first time that Sandra has spoken up against sexual abuse and exploitation in the Malayalam film industry. She recently also claimed that producers set aside budgets in Mollywood to procure drugs for stars. In November 2024, Sandra was expelled from the producers' body on charges of breaching organisational discipline and norms. She had questioned the silence of film organisations, including KFPA, on the startling revelations made in the Hema Committee Report. In December 2024, the Ernakulam Sub Court stayed the order to expel her. Sandra has now filed a nomination to run for the Presidency of KFPA.
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Vidhu Vincent counters Parvathy's criticism on Hema Committee Report: 'Don't shoot wildly just because you're a star'
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) Filmmaker Vidhu Vincent has responded strongly to actress Parvathy Thiruvothu 's recent criticism of the Kerala government over the delay in implementing the Hema Committee recommendations. In a lengthy social media post titled 'Hema Committee Report and Government Action: Facts', Vidhu urged for a fact-based discussion and stated that 'sensible women like Parvathy should not pass judgments without understanding the truth. ' Stand Up gets off to a grand start Parvathy questions delay in action Parvathy, in a post tagging Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, questioned the lack of progress in implementing the committee's recommendations, stating, 'Now can we focus on the ACTUAL reason this committee was formed? Putting policies in place to help make regulations in the industry? What is happening with that? No rush? It's only been five and a half years since the report was submitted.' Her post triggered widespread debate, prompting Vidhu to lay out the steps taken by the state since the report's submission. Vidhu reacts - None of them were willing to proceed with police cases afterward In her post, Vidhu noted that even those who had testified before the Hema Committee—including Parvathy—were unwilling to take legal action later. 'It is a fact that even though actors like Parvathy and others gave testimonies... none of them were willing to proceed with police cases afterward,' she wrote, adding that both the Special Investigation Team and the Crime Branch confirmed that statements were later withdrawn. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 3BHK Transformation Possible for ₹4.5 Lakh? HomeLane Get Quote Undo She stressed that, 'Legal action requires the full cooperation and testimony of the victims/survivors—without that, it's impossible to pursue cases effectively.' 'Criticism is always healthy. But don't shoot wildly…' Vidhu further emphasized that the Hema Committee was not meant solely to register cases but to act as a foundation for a broader film policy. She detailed government efforts such as: over 20 rounds of consultations, discussions with over 400 stakeholders, and initiatives to empower women in film. Concluding, Vidhu added, 'Criticism is always healthy. But don't shoot wildly just because you're a star… That's what Kerala expects from aware and thoughtful voices like Parvathy and others.' Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Set timeline for law on safety of women in film industry: HC
Kochi: Kerala HC has asked the state govt to provide a tentative time schedule within which legislation ensuring the safety of women in the entertainment industry, including cinema, can be enacted. The special bench of Justices A K Jayasankaran Nambiar and C S Sudha further observed that if the govt furnishes the tentative timeline by the next posting date, the court may record the same and refrain from issuing interim guidelines in the matter, which might otherwise delay the legislative process. The court was considering petitions seeking further action on the Justice K Hema Committee Report concerning the working conditions of women in the film industry. On Thursday, advocate general K Gopalakrishna Kurup informed that the proposed conclave on the draft legislation for the welfare of women in the entertainment industry has been rescheduled to Aug 2 and 3. Additionally, the Kerala Women's Commission filed an additional statement seeking a direction to the Women and Child Development Department, which is the nodal agency for implementing the POSH Act, to frame interim guidelines for the monitoring committee constituted as per the directions in the judgment in the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) case. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like เทรด CFDs ด้วยเทคโนโลยีเทรดสุดล้ำ และ รวดเร็วกว่า IC Markets สมัคร Undo The statement noted that a 27-member monitoring committee has been formed, comprising three representatives each from various stakeholder organisations, including AMMA, WCC, and Fefka. Similarly, senior counsel of WCC also urged the court to issue interim guidelines to ensure the safety of women in the cinema industry, citing delays in the legislative process. However, the division bench expressed concern that such interference might further delay the enactment of the proposed law. HC noted that it had taken 16 years to enact the Posh Act, 2013, following the interim guidelines issued by the Supreme Court in the 'Vishaka case', and observed that it did not wish to wait another 16 years for similar legislation. Accordingly, the Court directed the AG to provide a tentative timeline for the legislation and adjourned the petitions to June 9.
The Hindu
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Producers' Association president and secretary among four charged with sexual harassment on complaint by actor-producer Sandra Thomas
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case registered on a complaint by actor-producer Sandra Thomas has filed the charge sheet, arraigning four office bearers of the Kerala Film Producers Association office as accused. The Association President Anto Joseph was the key accused, while secretary B. Rakesh was the second accused and executive committee members Anil Thomas and Ouseppachan Valakkuzhi the other accused. 'There was digital evidence to prove the crime, which took place in June 2024. The complaint was lodged in November,' said SIT sources. The charge sheet was filed before the Ernakulam Judicial First Class Magistrate II on Saturday. The accused were booked under the Indian Penal Code since the alleged crime had occurred before the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita kicked in. They were charged under Sections 354A (sexual harassment), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of a common intention). The Central police registered the case based on Ms. Thomas's complaint about the alleged ill treatment meted out to her at the Producer's Association office. 'Attempts to sabotage investigation' In a social media post, Ms. Thomas thanked the State government and the chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, for extending all assistance and G. Poonguzhali, AIG, Coastal Security, who heads the SIT and her team members, for the swift action and for filing the charge sheet quickly. 'There was an organised attempt to sabotage the investigation, influence and even eliminate me, and ostracise me from the Malayalam film industry. Such attempts are still being made. I see it as a victory that the charge sheet was filed despite all those challenges, which I am confident of overcoming with the people's support,' her post read. The complaint had hogged attention coming as it does in the wake of the Hema Committee Report about the hardships faced by the women in the Malayalam movie industry.
