From Vijay Sethupathi to the Hema Report: Unraveling the Casting Couch Crisis in Indian Cinema

The entertainment world is again grappling with the dark underbelly of casting couch practices, starting with fresh accusations against Vijay Sethupathi. Ramya Mohan’s claims of inappropriate offers from the actor highlight the pervasive nature of exploitation within the industry. This is not an isolated incident; the #MeToo movement and the Justice Hema Committee report have revealed a pattern of sexual harassment and gender inequality across various film industries. The Hema Committee’s investigation into the Malayalam film industry uncovered a ‘power group’ and widespread abuse, leading to public outrage and calls for accountability. The report’s delayed release and subsequent redactions fueled controversy, but eventually, it triggered a wave of allegations against prominent figures. The cases of Siddique and M. Mukesh underscore the gravity of the situation. The #MeToo campaign, revived by Tanushree Dutta’s accusations against Nana Patekar, has amplified the voices of survivors. The movement is now pushing for similar investigations in Tamil, Kannada and Bengali film industries.