Singer
Gowry
Lekshmi
Speaks
Out
After
the
Hema
Committee
Report:
Following
the
release
of
the
Hema
Committee
report,
the
spotlight
has
turned
on
the
Malayalam
film
industry,
revealing
deep-seated
issues
of
male
dominance,
sexual
misconduct,
and
the
denial
of
fundamental
rights
to
women.
The
report
has
shocked
the
public
by
disclosing
that
the
industry
is
controlled
by
a
criminal
mafia
consisting
of
15
prominent
actors,
highlighting
an
alarming
level
of
systemic
corruption
and
abuse.

In
the
wake
of
the
report,
numerous
female
artists
have
come
forward
to
share
their
harrowing
experiences
within
the
industry.
Among
them
is
renowned
singer
Gowry
Lekshmi,
who
has
recently
spoken
to
the
media
about
the
prevalent
abuses
in
the
music
sector.
Gowry
Lekshmi,
a
well-known
figure
in
the
Malayalam
music
industry,
asserts
that
the
issues
outlined
in
the
Hema
Committee
report
are
not
new
to
her.
As
someone
who
has
worked
within
the
industry
for
years,
she
confirms
that
the
problems
are
widespread
and
not
limited
to
actresses
alone.

According
to
Gowry
Lekshmi,
the
report’s
revelations
align
with
her
personal
experiences.
She
emphasizes
that
the
industry’s
issues
extend
beyond
the
scope
of
acting
and
affect
all
sectors,
including
technical
fields.
“The
report
contains
information
that
was
already
known
to
those
of
us
within
the
industry.
It’s
now
being
reported
widely,
but
these
are
issues
we
have
been
aware
of
for
a
long
time,” Gowry
Lekshmi
stated.

She
also
discussed
the
pervasive
male
dominance
in
the
industry,
arguing
for
greater
female
representation
in
decision-making
roles
to
drive
meaningful
change.
“The
film
industry
is
heavily
male-dominated.
We
need
more
women
in
positions
of
power
to
create
an
environment
where
new
entrants
can
work
without
fear,” she
added.

Gowry
Lekshmi
highlighted
the
harsh
reality
that
opportunities
are
often
contingent
on
agreeing
to
sexual
favors,
a
situation
she
herself
has
faced.
“I
have
lost
opportunities
just
for
asking
for
fair
pay.
Newcomers
are
pressured
into
complying
with
unacceptable
conditions.
It
is
encouraging
that
these
issues
are
finally
being
discussed,”
she
said.

Gowri
Lakshmi
Reveals
Early
Career
Harrowing
Experience

Reflecting
on
her
own
experiences,
Gowry
Lekshmi
recounted
a
troubling
incident
from
her
early
career.
She
joined
the
film
industry
as
a
songwriter
and
composer
for
the
movie
‘Casanovva’ in
2012,
when
she
was
just
15
years
old.
She
alleged
that
the
very
popular
music
director,
who
was
between
32
and
35
years
old
at
the
time,
made
inappropriate
advances.
“If
it
had
happened
today,
it
would
have
been
a
case
under
the
POCSO
Act.
He
still
remains
a
well-known
music
director,”
she
noted.

Gowry
Lekshmi’s
revelations
have
already
sparked
a
flurry
of
speculation
on
social
media,
with
users
trying
to
identify
the
accused
music
director.
The
discussion
around
her
experiences
underscores
the
urgent
need
for
reform
and
greater
transparency
within
the
Malayalam
film
industry.