Latest news with #JusticeHemaCommittee
Time of India
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Draft film policy calls for professionalism in film industry
T'puram: The draft film policy, prepared by a committee set up by the state govt, states that there is a tendency to exploit newcomers in the film industry and that strict action, including blacklisting, should be taken against those doing so. A film policy conclave, which began on Saturday to discuss the draft policy, proposed comprehensive changes by bringing in professionalism and order in every aspect of filmmaking. The draft policy also suggests that film organizations and associations should bring professionalism to casting, and a mechanism should be available for artistes to submit complaints and also to protect whistleblowers. The draft also suggests steps to curb cyberbullying and piracy. The draft wants producers and directors to have casting directors, appoint a non-film representative at auditions, and ensure POSH Act compliance certificates and awareness sessions on POSH before the commencement of shoots. It also suggests a uniform protocol for auditions, facilities to report possible exploitation during casting and steps to prevent collective cyber-attacks against whistleblowers. The draft also wants mentors to take newcomers under their wings and offer them guidance and support to work and face challenges. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why Seniors Are Snapping Up This TV Box, We Explain! Techno Mag Learn More Undo The call for a policy came after the Justice Hema Committee report showed widespread sexual exploitation, discrimination and poor working conditions in the movie indusry. The policy was prepared by a committee headed by late filmmaker Shaji N Karun and involved discussions with various stakeholders. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
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First Post
02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- First Post
Honouring 'The Kerala Story' endorses use of films to spread communal hatred, says CM Pinarayi Vijayan
The film had courted controversy for its portrayal of women in Kerala being forcefully converted and recruited by the terror group Islamic State. read more Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday said that awarding national film honours to 'The Kerala Story' can only be seen as an endorsement of attempts to misuse movies to spread communal hatred and urged the cultural and film community to oppose such moves unitedly. Vijayan said it was 'extremely unfortunate' that a film which insults Kerala's secular traditions and defames it before the world was honoured at the national film awards. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'This also insults the great cultural heritage of Indian cinema and sends out the message that art should be used to destroy the secularism of our country and replace it with communalism,' he said, prior to inaugurating the Kerala Film Policy Conclave here. He said that the film community needs to wake up against such a 'distorted' portrayal of Kerala and put an end to such moves. Filmmaker Sudipto Sen won the Best Director award for his film 'The Kerala Story', which also received the award for Best Cinematography. The film had courted controversy for its portrayal of women in Kerala being forcefully converted and recruited by the terror group Islamic State. Vijayan also said that it needs to be examined why the Kerala film industry has not received the level of recognition it deserves and hoped that it would be a topic of discussion at the conclave held at the Sankaranarayanan Thampi Hall inside the Legislative Assembly complex in Thiruvananthapuram. He further said that the conclave was organised with the aim of formulating a comprehensive film policy for the all-round growth and development of Malayalam cinema, as it was imperative to modernise and expand it with the changing times. State Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cherian, who presided over the event, said that it was decided to hold such a conclave following the recommendations in the Justice Hema Committee report to tackle issues of sexual exploitation, discrimination, wage disparity and unfair working conditions prevalent in the film industry. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The committee was constituted based on the demands of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) after the 2017 actress assault incident. Around 500 delegates, including representatives from the Malayalam film industry like Mohanlal and Suhasini Maniratnam, film personalities from outside the state and abroad, participated in the conclave.
News18
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Filmdom, Shaken Not Stirred, By Cocaine
If movie stars indulge in drug abuse, then it will have a detrimental effect and adversely affect the attitude and behavioural patterns of teenagers. Drug abuse is a malignant social and health problem that ruins lives, destroys society, and feeds into a cycle of violence and criminal activity. To combat this malaise, cinema can be the most potent weapon in the campaign against drug and substance abuse. Its effectiveness is ingrained in its inherent power to promote change, vibrancy, and gregariousness, and lastly its participatory nature. These four do not work separately, but rather as a combination and in symbiosis. But, if movie stars indulge in drug abuse, then it will have a detrimental effect and adversely affect the attitude and behavioural patterns of teenagers. Youths indulge themselves in drugs and substance abuse for all sorts of reasons. They range from dysfunctional families, peer influence, availability of alcohol and drugs, influence of social media, unemployment and stress, to mention a few. It is worth noting that the youth are at risk of falling into the relentless cycle of drug abuse if a film culture portrays drug abuse as fashionable and cool. The arrest of popular actor Srikanth, known for his work in Tamil and Telugu films, in a drug-related case has uncovered a criminal network that extends far beyond substance abuse and distribution. Tamil actor Krishna has also been detained as he is supposed to have used his political connections and film industry ties to peddle cocaine among celebrities. He allegedly hosted drug-fuelled parties and introduced several clients, including actor Srikanth, to the narcotic substance. These developments have shaken up film industries in South India. The arrests shook Kollywood and brought to light the involvement of former AIADMK executives, drug dealers, and several other actors. Srikanth reportedly confessed to having purchased cocaine more than 40 times, paying up to Rs 4.72 lakh in digital money. He also admitted that he first became addicted to the drug when he was taken to parties. Police say two popular actresses are also involved. With several celebrities across southern cinema facing drug use allegations, the Malayalam film industry has made a 'no-drug affidavit" mandatory on sets. Malayalam actors Shine Tom Chacko and Sreenath Bhasi appeared before the excise team investigating the seizure of hybrid Ganja from a resort at Omanapuzha in Alappuzha. Shine Tom Chacko reportedly confessed to police about widespread abuse of synthetic drugs in the film industry and that several leading actors are involved in it. According to media reports, in the statement to the Police, he stated, 'Only I and one other actor are blamed; there are other major actors who use drugs as well." What began with state award-winning actor Vincy Aloshious's bold revelation has spiralled into a full-blown controversy. The Justice Hema Committee report, too, had flagged substance abuse as a lurking menace within the industry, reinforcing what many suspected but few dared to confront. However, the public glare was more on sleazy details than on drug abuse mentioned in the report. Exactly 10 years after his sensational arrest in a high-profile drug case — Kerala's first cocaine case — actor Shine Tom Chacko finds himself back in the eye of a storm, for his drug consumption. On 15 April 2025, actor Vincy publicly accused a co-actor of inappropriate behaviour and drug use during the shoot of the yet-to-be-released movie 'Soothravakyam'. Though she didn't name him specifically, it later emerged that the actor referred to was Shine. Vincy recalled disturbing incidents on set — from lewd remarks made in front of the crew to the actor spitting a suspicious white powder. The controversy deepened the next day when CCTV footage surfaced showing Shine fleeing a hotel in Ernakulam during a District Anti-Narcotic Special Action Force (DANSAF) raid. Summoned by the police, Shine finally turned up at the police station on 19 April and was arrested after four hours of questioning, though under bailable charges. His past caught up too: in 2015, he was arrested in a cocaine case along with four women models from a Kochi flat but was acquitted in February 2025 after the court cited investigative lapses and the absence of cocaine traces in blood tests. A string of recent incidents paints a disturbing picture: In 2023, actors Shane Nigam and Sreenath Bhasi were banned by the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) and the Kerala Film Producers' Association for unprofessional conduct allegedly linked to substance abuse. Adding to the growing concerns, actor Tini Tom publicly warned in May 2023 about rampant drug use in the industry, citing the deteriorating health of a young actor due to addiction. Substance use, the report revealed, was not just widespread but normalised across all levels of the industry—from actors to technicians. Recently, the Kerala Excise Department arrested three people, including Malayalam film directors Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamza, for possession of Hybrid Ganja. To address this problem, the Justice Hema committee recommended a zero-tolerance policy on substance use at workplaces, contractual enforcement, clear signage, increased government surveillance, and awareness campaigns to educate stakeholders. In Karnataka's Sandalwood, at present, actors Sanjjanaa Galrani and Ragini Dwivedi are out on bail on drug-related charges. The Telugu film industry, or Tollywood, has a chequered history with drug abuse, and its failure to address it. Reports of substance abuse in Tollywood have surfaced periodically, with whispers of late-night parties and easy access to narcotics in elite circles. The industry's high-pressure environment, coupled with its wealth and glamour, creates fertile ground for such vices. Tollywood actor Pallapolu Navdeep appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for questioning in an alleged drug trafficking case in October 2024. Surprisingly, all is quiet on the Bollywood front. However, in the past, stars like Ranbir Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Gauri Khan, Mamta Kulkarni, Honey Singh, and many more have been allegedly involved or were accused of substance abuse. Whether a celebrity or a nonentity, both get trapped in drug abuse as a result of attempts to break away from the cycle of family brutality and psychological abuse at home and confront the dangers of drug dealers, addiction, and stigmatization. Meanwhile, along with the rise in drug abuse, other disturbing trends are emerging. Kerala has recorded an over 76 per cent jump in abortion cases over a nine-year period, according to data released by the Health Management Information System (HMIS) portal, in June 2025. The widespread acceptance of live-in relationships could be encouraging the rise in abortions, which could be partly due to indulgence in drug abuse. The Allahabad high court has observed that live-in relations are against the values held by Indian middle-class society. A bench of Justice Siddharth has expressed displeasure at the growing number of such cases reaching the courts. The Allahabad High Court recently observed that live-in relationships have no social sanction. Still, the youth are attracted to such relations, and it is high time that we find some framework and solution to save moral values in society. Hearing two other Public Interest Litigation (PIL) pleas challenging the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) provisions, especially rules on Live-In Relationships, the Uttarakhand High Court orally remarked that the female partner is more vulnerable in such relationships. Youth, especially college and university students, routinely emulate their favourite matinee idols' behaviour in public, in advertisements, and on social media. Their favourite stars smoking cigarettes, consuming alcohol on screen, and enjoying rave parties are giving the youth the impression that the 'pleasure principle' should be the motto of life. This is ruining their careers and getting them into trouble with the law. In Andhra Pradesh alone, over 500 psychologists are being recruited in government schools, to tackle the problem of drug addiction. Research studies have been undertaken in developed countries to theorize the media's influence on young people's attitudes and behaviours, as well as their willingness to engage in risky behaviours. Various theories of 'media effects" have demonstrated the impact of visual media on behaviour, such as sexual activity, anger, action, road rage, and violence. When people see more sexual content on television in movies and entertainment shows, they are more likely to participate in sexual activity with their friends. Television shows create and manipulate a new type of social value system, beliefs, and customs. Younger audiences are more affected by television than older audiences. Television shows generally depict youngsters and adults acting immorally, cheating, killing one another, sobbing, and engaging in sex and often offensive behaviour. They portray a soiled image of adulthood that has erased their innocence and youth. top videos View all Russell Brand sums it aptly, 'A drunk once said to me, 'Drugs and alcohol are not our problem, reality is our problem; drugs and alcohol are our solution to that problem.' Aren't we all, in one way or another, trying to find a solution to the problem of reality? If I get this job, this girl, this guy, these shoes. If I pass this exam, eat this pizza, drink this booze, go on this holiday. Isn't there always some kind of condition to contentment? Isn't it always placed in the future, wrapped up in some object, either physical or ideological?" The writer is Former Director General, Multi-Disciplinary School of Economic Intelligence, and National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes & Narcotics. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. tags : cocaine drug abuse drugs view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 30, 2025, 11:48 IST News opinion Opinion | Filmdom, Shaken Not Stirred, By Cocaine Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Mint
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Malayalam actress Minu Muneer arrested for derogatory social media posts on Balachandra Menon, released on bail
Malayalam film actress Minu Muneer was arrested on Monday by the Cyber Police in Kochi for allegedly making derogatory comments against veteran actor-director Balachandra Menon through social media. She was later released on bail. The actress was arrested in connection with a case registered in October last year, following a complaint accusing her of making repeated offensive comments online against Menon. According to the police, the comments were made shortly after the release of the Hema Committee report, which examined the issue of harassment and abuse faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. The charges against the actress include Section 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (criminal intimidation), Section 67 of the Information Technology Act (publishing or transmitting obscene content online), and Section 120(o) of the Kerala Police Act (causing nuisance through repeated or anonymous communication), the police added. In September last year, Minu Muneer had alleged that filmmaker Menon forced her to watch group sex in his room in 2007. "There were a few other men sitting and watching. There were three girls and him in the room engaged in it. I walked out of the room. He asked me to sit and watch," Muneer was quoted as saying by India Today. She had also accused several people, including actor Jayasurya and CPI(M) MLA Mukesh, of physical and verbal abuse. The Justice Hema Committee report, made public on August 19, 2024, noted that the Malayalam film industry is controlled by about 10 to 15 male producers, directors, and actors who dominate and exert control over the industry. On September 25, Malayalam actor Edavela Babu was arrested by the Special Investigation Team after he was accused of physical and verbal abuse by Minu Muneer. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) on June 25 informed the Kerala High Court that it has dropped further action in the 35 cases lodged on the basis of the Justice Hema Committee report, as none of the victims came forward to give their statements. The Justice Hema Committee was established by the Kerala government following the 2017 actress assault case. It probed various allegations of sexual harassment against women professionals in the Malayalam film industry. In view of the SIT report, a bench of Justices AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and CS Sudha said that for now no further action was required to be taken in the crimes registered by the agency. The court noted that a Film Conclave has been scheduled by the state government in the first week of August 2025 and directed that the petitions be listed on August 13 for further consideration.
Hans India
26-06-2025
- Hans India
Investigation Team Abandons Film Industry Harassment Cases Due To Witness Non-Cooperation
Kerala's Special Investigation Team has informed the state High Court that all investigations into sexual harassment allegations within the Malayalam film industry have been terminated due to the absence of victim cooperation, marking the end of proceedings in 35 cases initiated following the Justice Hema Committee's comprehensive report. The investigative unit cited the unwillingness of alleged victims to provide formal statements as the primary reason for discontinuing all cases that emerged from the committee's findings. The Justice Hema Committee had been established by the Kerala government to examine widespread complaints of sexual misconduct affecting women working in the regional cinema sector, following the high-profile 2017 actress assault incident that exposed systemic issues within the industry. During Wednesday's court proceedings, the Special Investigation Team presented its decision to Justices AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and CS Sudha, who acknowledged that no immediate action would be required regarding the registered cases. The judicial bench was addressing multiple petitions that had demanded concrete measures based on the committee's recommendations for industry reform. The court noted that the state government has organized a Film Conclave scheduled for early August 2025 to address ongoing concerns within the cinema industry. The judges have scheduled the next hearing for August 13 to review any developments arising from this industry conference. The Justice Hema Committee had conducted an extensive investigation into harassment complaints from women across various segments of the Malayalam film industry. The panel's comprehensive report was subsequently submitted to the Kerala High Court, which had ordered its transfer to the Special Investigation Team for thorough examination of the sexual abuse allegations detailed within the document. The closure of these cases represents a significant setback for efforts to address workplace harassment in Kerala's film industry, particularly given the committee's mandate to investigate systemic issues that had reportedly affected numerous women professionals. The investigation team's decision highlights the challenges faced in pursuing justice when victims are reluctant to participate in formal legal proceedings, despite the existence of detailed findings from an official inquiry. The development occurs against the backdrop of ongoing discussions about creating safer working environments for women in the entertainment industry, with the planned Film Conclave potentially serving as a platform for addressing these concerns through industry-wide reforms and policy initiatives.
