Sexual abuse must be addressed'

Mona Singh, well-known in TV and film circles and now on OTT platforms too, is happy drawing attention to subjects like sexual assault and mental health, usually considered taboo in society. She plays the female lead in an OTT series titled Kafas directed by Sahil Sangha.

Excerpts from an interview:

What is Kafas about?

This kind of subject has not been touched upon or spoken about, it is one of a kind. I think this kind of topic sparks important conversations about mental health, sexual assault, etc.

Sexual harassment and assault has been around for centuries...

The whole thing came into focus with the ‘Me Too’ movement. Suddenly 20-year-old cases were brought up, and women were talking about them, bringing to the forefront the tragedy they had gone through. I don’t know why society makes such topics taboo, why they should not be discussed and addressed. There is no need to brush them under the carpet. I feel every actor should be vocal about such issues.

Yet, you keep quiet about these issues in the show.

Eventually, they don’t keep mum. Their world crumbles and falls apart when they accept money. It raises questions — Is money enough to bury the truth? Is money enough to not call for justice, to let you suffer? No, it isn’t. Are you at peace after taking the money? No, money is not the answer!

You started with TV in a de-glam role and are still going strong. How do you manage that?

Overnight stardom rarely happens to people at the beginning of their journey. This show got so much love because it was an inspiring character. I remember so many girls writing letters to me addressed to Sony channel. They wrote to me saying Meri shaadi ho gayi and mujhe naukri mil gayi. You should be beautiful from inside, not from outside. Jassi started that movement.

I as an actor felt challenged and decided not to take up another TV series — as nothing could be as good as Jassi for me. Also, comparisons would be inevitable. So I consciously chose a reality show where people got to see me in a different look from Jassi on camera. Thankfully, I won Jhalak Dikhla Ja and thereafter started hosting. It has been a beautiful long journey.