Into the feminist frontlines: The Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) and feminist solidarity in the Malayalam film industry

Women working in Indian film industries face many challenges related to equality, freedom and safety. They are not only under-represented in every stage of film production, but also harassed and controlled by patriarchal hegemonic forces. This article examines the possibility of women’s collective action in traditionally masculine working environments of Indian cinema. It focuses on a case study of the Malayalam film industry, the South Indian regional cinema of the state of Kerala, to analyse how the emergence of feminist solidarity can challenge public perceptions of women in the popular medium of cinema. It examines the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), an organization for women workers in Kerala’s film industry, which assisted women in coming forward to discuss gender discrimination and workplace issues in the film industry.