I don't know anything about that, sorry: Rajinikanth on Hema committee report

New Delhi: The Justice K Hema Committee report, which exposes incidents of sexual harassment and exploitation in the Malayalam film industry, has sparked widespread discussion. However, when pressed for his views, renowned actor Rajinikanth seemed unfamiliar with the report's details. 

While arriving at Chennai airport on Sunday, Rajinikanth was approached by journalists eager to get his opinion on various matters, including the recent Hema Committee report. Despite his willingness to discuss his upcoming film Coolie, he appeared uninformed about the committee’s findings.

What has Rajinikanth said?

In a video shared by Polimer News, Rajinikanth was asked if a similar investigative committee should be established for the Tamil film industry. Displaying confusion, he requested the reporter to repeat the question. Upon clarification that the inquiry was about the Hema Committee related to the Malayalam industry, Rajinikanth responded, “I don’t know…I don’t know anything about that. Sorry,” before moving on to other topics.

Call for similar report in Telugu film industry

In the wake of the Hema Committee report, Samantha Ruth Prabhu and the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) have urged the Telangana government to release a similar report for the Telugu film industry. The WCC had submitted its findings two years ago, but the government has yet to act on this request.

Radhika Sarathkumar, a vocal supporter of the WCC, highlighted the committee's critical role, stating, “The Hema Committee was initiated by WCC, a group committed to women’s rights and working conditions in the industry. Despite the report being constituted, it was not published for years until a court intervention forced its release.”

Celebruities' reactions

Following the report’s release, prominent figures in the Malayalam film industry, including former AMMA president Mohanlal and Mammootty, have publicly responded, expressing their hope for justice for the victims.