"No Privacy" In Film Academy Internal Complaints Committee, Ex-Staff Alleges, Ex-Staff Alleges (Photo @Pixabay)

As the Malayalam film industry is surrounded by controversial revelations following the Hema Committee report released on August 19, serious allegations are raised against the State Film Academy Internal Complaints Committee (ICC). A former employee of the body, told the news channel MediaOne that severe human rights violations and anti-labour activities are taking place in the body. Notably, the allegations come on the heels of its chairman and director Ranjith’s resignation after sexual harassment accusations surfaced.

Srividya, who worked as a program assistant in the festival section of the academy for eight years and resigned last month, alleged that some shady activities are going on in the governing body.

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Srividya claimed that there is “no privacy” in ICC and complaints reach the hands of those accused. “Academy member Cuckoo Parameswaran tried to expel me for raising voice against wrong trends,” Srividya said, adding that she resigned a month ago due to the pressure, MediaOne quoted. Srividya also accused the academy treasurer, Shreelal, of treating the office workers like stray dogs.

She further said that she has lodged a complaint with the Chief Minister and the State Women’s Commission, highlighting the issue in the body, and the complaint to the Chief Minister has been forwarded to the Secretary of the Culture Department.

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The ICC was constituted under the directive of the Kerala Film Chamber in 2022. The committee includes 27 members from various organisations, including Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), Kerala Film Chamber, Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA), Malayalam Cine Technicians Association (MACTA), Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), Film Exhibitors United Organisation of Kerala (FEOUK), Kerala Film Producers Association (KFPA), and All Kerala Distributors Association (AKDA).

Following the release of the Hema Committee report, which was constituted in 2017 after the abduction of prominent actress, several film personalities have come forward and revealed their experience of exploitation by actors, film makers and other film crews.