Voices from the Gulf: Nyla Usha on Kerala’s Moment of Reckoning

In the cosmopolitan buzz of Dubai, where towering skyscrapers kiss the clouds and cultures meld into a seamless blend, Nyla Usha stands out as a voice that bridges two worlds. Known to her listeners as the sharp and eloquent RJ at Hit 96.7, a Malayalam radio station that has become a lifeline for the Malayali diaspora in the UAE, Nyla is more than just a media personality. She’s an actress, a cultural ambassador, and now, a commentator on one of the most significant reckonings in Indian cinema.

When the Hema Committee report was finally released on August 19, after years of delay, its findings sent shockwaves through the Malayalam film industry. The report, a detailed and unflinching account of sexual harassment, systemic exploitation, and the precarious working conditions of women in the industry, painted a grim picture of an industry that had long prided itself on its progressive credentials. For many, the revelations were shocking. But for Nyla Usha, the findings were anything but surprising.

“I wasn’t surprised because, even before getting into movies, I knew this kind of practice happens in cinema, as it’s unorganized labor compared to any other industry,”*Nyla reports to Guld News, her voice steady and resolute. We’re seated in a quiet corner of a café in Dubai, the city where she has lived and worked for nearly two decades. There’s a calm about her, a sense of perspective that comes from being both an insider and an outsider in the world of Malayalam cinema.

Nyla’s journey from Trivandrum to Dubai, and from radio jockey to film actress, is a story in itself. After completing her education in Kerala, she moved to Dubai in 2004, where she quickly established herself as one of the most recognizable voices on the airwaves. Her transition to cinema came nearly a decade later, in 2013, when she made her acting debut alongside superstar Mammootty in *Kunjananthante Kada*. The film was a critical success, and Nyla’s performance was widely praised. But despite her success, she has remained cautious, aware of the industry’s darker side.

“The first time I went on a movie set, I had a family member traveling with me, and that pattern continued for my next three films,” she says. This wasn’t just a matter of comfort or support; it was a form of protection. In an industry where power dynamics are heavily skewed in favor of male actors, directors, and producers, the presence of a chaperone was a way to ward off unwanted attention. “Unlike other professional sectors like banking or healthcare, the movie world doesn’t frown upon your parents or your older male siblings accompanying you to a film set,” she adds, her tone measured.

But Nyla is quick to point out that her experiences are not universal. “My case is a lot different. I come into that privileged bracket where I was invited to be a part of a film. So obviously, the treatment given to me will be different. They fly me down and put me up in the best hotels … But that’s not the case with everyone,” she acknowledges. There’s a note of sadness in her voice as she reflects on the stories she’s heard from other women in the industry, stories of harassment and coercion, of being asked for sexual favors in exchange for roles.

These stories have come to the fore in the wake of the Hema Committee report, which has laid bare the deep-rooted problems within the Malayalam film industry. The report has sparked a broader conversation about the treatment of women in cinema, a conversation that has been long overdue. For Nyla, this moment of reckoning is both necessary and inevitable. “If someone from the industry is shocked about the findings of the Hema Committee, then I'm shocked about that person being shocked. I am judging them,” she says with a wry smile.

The release of the Hema Committee report has already had significant repercussions. The once-dominant Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), led by superstar Mohanlal, has been disbanded, and numerous female actors have come forward with their own stories of harassment. But Nyla is clear-eyed about the challenges that lie ahead. “This is just the tip of the iceberg. Only a few have spoken up till now. More serious issues may emerge,” she warns.

As our conversation draws to a close, it’s clear that Nyla sees this moment as a turning point, not just for the Malayalam film industry, but for society as a whole. “Patriarchy in Malayalam films will soon be shattered,” she says, her voice full of conviction. Whether this prediction will come true remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: voices like Nyla Usha’s are essential in the fight for a more just and equitable industry. In the gleaming city of Dubai, far from the film sets of Kerala, her voice carries far, echoing the aspirations and struggles of countless women who are still waiting for their moment of justice.

You can watch the interview of Nyla Usha with Gulf News here: