Kerala Film Producers’ Association mandates remuneration contracts following Hema Committee Report

Following the unveiling of the Hema Committee report that raised several problems in the Malayalam film industry, the Kerala Film Producers' Association brought out a new directive aimed at transparency and accountability.

According to On Manorama, this directive issued to the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) and the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) has declared that from October 1 onwards, all those who work in the industry must acquire remuneration contracts in place if the payment exceeds Rs 1 lakh.

Such contracts, to be made on stamp paper even before any work commences, would have specific clauses referring to sexual harassment and drug addiction among others as these were significant concerns revealed through the Hema Committee report. In its letter dated September 18, the Producers' Association has clearly shown that it would not interfere in disputes or charges that do not fall under the scope of such contracts.
Therefore, the code governs everyone involved in film production, whether as actors, technicians, or members of the crew. The new code is therefore an important step toward establishing and professionalizing this industry's practices.
Another issue raised by the Producers' Association is the growing trend of actor-producers being sued for tax evasion and their increasing potential in financing film ventures. The association argues that such a trend has also resulted in a much more complicated business environment for traditional producers.
On the same note, the Hema Committee report had already pointed out the issues of no written contracts, failure to pay the remuneration agreed upon, and gender-based pay disparities much earlier.