Ever since the three-member Justice Hema Committee report was released on 19 August, the Malayalam film industry has been in the news all across the country. Malayali superstar Prithviraj Sukumaran opened up on the sexual harassment row, stating people in positions of power should step aside when facing sexual abuse allegations.
Seeking stringent actions based on the findings of the report, Prithviraj said, “The findings of the report should be treated very seriously. It is important to punish those who have committed sexual abuse. Those in power should step aside while facing such allegations.”
Prithviraj addressed the press meeting as part of the launch of his football club, Forca Kochi FC. He opined that the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) should have handled the Hema Commission report and that stringent action should be taken against them if found guilty.Voicing for an organised ban on artists and people within the industry, the Malayali superstar said, ‘I cannot deny there is no organised power group within the industry because I have not faced the issue. Action should be taken if such an organised activity to ban artists is prevalent in the industry.’
Though he mentioned he was not shocked by the findings of the commission report, as he claimed to be the first of those actors voicing for a safe workplace for women in Malayalam film industry.’My responsibility does not end with just ensuring that my movie location is safe. It is important that the entire industry is safe for people,’ Prithviraj said, seeking the streamlined process for casting junior artists.
