Kannada Actors Meet Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, Demand Hema Panel-Like Probe In Sandalwood

Amid increasing calls for accountability and transparency in the Kannada film industry, a group of Karnataka actors and social activists, led by social activist Vijayamma and actors Chethan Ahimsa and Sruthi Hariharan, met with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday to advocate for the formation of a committee to investigate sexual harassment and abuse within the industry.

Their demand mirrors the Justice Hema Committee in Kerala, which was established to address similar issues in the Malayalam film industry.

The demand has gained the support of the Film Industry for Rights and Equality (FIRE), a prominent industry body in Karnataka.

FIRE has called for a government-backed committee to investigate and report on the harassment and exploitation faced by women in the Kannada film industry.

It wanted a retired judge of the High Court or Supreme Court "who has demonstrated a strong commitment to gender justice over her/his years of service be appointed to head the committee."

Incidentally, FIRE has been instrumental in establishing India's first-ever film industry Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), advocating for survivors of sexual harassment.

"We recognise that more comprehensive measures are needed to create a safe and equitable working environment for all women in the industry," said the letter.

They also submitted a formal letter to CM Siddaramaiah, urging him to take swift action.

This initiative is largely inspired by the findings of the Justice Hema Committee in Kerala, which exposed widespread sexual harassment and poor working conditions for women in Malayalam cinema.

The Hema Committee's report, made public through the RTI Act, revealed shocking allegations of abuse, drawing attention to the darker side of the tinsel town.

Several notable Kannada film celebrities, including Chaitra J Achar, Samyuktha Hegde, Hitha, Sudeep, Chetan Ahimsa, Diganth Manchale, Ramya, Kiran Srinivas, and Kishore, have also lent their voices to the growing demand for a similar investigative committee in Karnataka.

Beyond Karnataka, the Telugu and Tamil film industries have echoed the call for investigations into the sexual harassment and exploitation faced by women in their respective industries, highlighting the pervasive nature of the issue across South Indian cinema.

(With PTI inputs)