Tamil actors’ body to form panel to address sexual assault complaints amid rising cases in Malayalam film industry

The South Indian Artistes Association, also known as Nadigar Sangam, is set to establish a committee to probe sexual harassment complaints and mental abuse in the Tamil film industry.

Famous South actor Vishal, and the general secretary of the film body, while making the announcement said that there is a need for a formal body to address such accusations.

The announcement comes after several Malayalam actors and filmmakers have been booked under sexual assault charges.

The developments follow a report by the Justice Hema Committee formed by the Kerala government which flagged sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry.

“We will form a ten-member committee in the next ten days. It is the duty of Nadigar Sangam to hear and address the concerns of women in the industry,” Vishal told reporters on Aug 29.

“The Nadigar Sangam is not just for men; women too play an important role in the film industry, " he added.
He also warned women in the industry not to trust fake companies whose agenda is only to lure women.

“We are in the process of finalising the members of the committee. We will formally announce the committee. The Nadigar Sangam is not just for men but women too. Women play an important role in the film industry,” Vishal said.

“These upma (loosely translated as non-trustable) companies set up an office with a couple of cameras and lure women in the name of photoshoots. Women should be cautious,” he further said.

There have been voices in the Tamil film industry demanding that it should also have a committee like the one in Kerala to probe allegations of sexual harassment.

“Will anything remotely similar happen in Tamil cinema? I have no hopes And my pessimism comes not just from the reluctance in addressing systemic misogyny. Politicians in Kerala have at least a semblance of commitment to self-image. Here, only photo-ops with Diamond-Pearl,” Meena Kandasamy was quoted as saying.

'Diamond-pearl' refers to well-known lyricist Vairamuthu, accused of sexual harassment by singer Chinmayi Sripada and other women. He is said to hold quite an influence in the Tamil film industry.