Sam shows the way

The Telugu film industry is no stranger to #MeToo allegations. It was the infamous sexual assault of a Telugu actress in 2018 that brought the issues faced by women in the industry into sharp focus. It led to the formation of a high-level committee comprising police officers, officials from several departments, and film and television industry leaders in 2019. The sub-committee submitted its report to the Government in 2022, but the contents were kept confidential. Praising the Hema Committee report, which led several women actors in the Malayalam industry to speak out about the abuse they faced, actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu has now urged the Telangana Government to publish the sub-committee’s report with regard to the Telugu film industry, saying it would help frame policies and also ensure a safe working environment for women.

“We, the women of the Telugu film industry, welcome the Hema Committee report and applaud the persistent efforts of the WCC in Kerala, which has laid the path to this moment,” Samantha says in a story on Instagram, adding, “We hereby urge the Telangana government to publish the submitted subcommittee report on sexual harassment, which can help frame government and industry policies to establish a safe working environment for women in the TFI (Telugu Film Industry).”

Recently, singer Pranavi Acharya, known for her songs in Sri Ramadasu, Happy Days, Yamadonga, and Lion, spoke out about her casting experience.

Men in the industry think sex is their entitlement. Women must comply with the demands or risk losing their long-held dream of pursuing cinema as their profession. It’s surprising that no one dares to call out the men who are demanding sexual favours.

Needed: A strong female voice

I applaud survivors of sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry who speak up. Samantha’s request to the Telangana government to release a comparable study on sexual harassment in the film industry is a ray of hope,” says actress Jayasudha Kapoor, known for her work in Telugu and Tamil cinema. In order to address issues of harassment, several women in somewhat powerful positions formed a support group with assistance from the WCC. “Many women within the industry came together to set up a sexual harassment redressal pane. The panel has union representatives from all sectors of the industry, from writers to junior artistes to camerapersons. We already have women on these committees. However, a strong female voice is required for discussion. Women in the industry must speak out,” she said.

‘Silence is the norm’

Are other language industries in India even talking about such things? Until we face the uncomfortable truths we all know exist all around us, the brunt of existing abuse of power will continue to be borne by those who are vulnerable. It has been heartbreaking to read the findings of the committee. More heartbreaking because it is familiar. Maybe not every detail and not every nitty-gritty, but the larger picture of what the women have testified to is all too familiar. Showbiz is more than just patriarchal; it's also feudal in nature. Successful actors, directors, and producers are elevated to the status of demi-gods, and anything they do goes.”

‘STAND UP, BE A MAN!’

Author and columnist Shobhaa De has strongly criticised the ‘silence’ in Bollywood and the ‘disappearing act’ of Malayalam cinema director Mohanlal after a massive #MeToo movement hit Kerala’s film industry.

“Stand up, be a man, tell your other team members to take responsibility and help those who are at the receiving end,” she said on a news channel.

“The tragedy in this particular case is that for nearly five years the Justice Hema report had been lying there, and nothing had been done. There was a breakaway group started by some women in the Malayalam film industry who were completely disheartened by the pathetic working conditions, and it was a cosy men’s club controlled by 15-20 men, who had absolutely power over their working and personal life,” she said.

“I’m equally shocked that not a single strong male voice has emerged out of Bollywood. Not a single male actor of any worth has spoken against what they are seeing in the industry. They are all colleagues. You stand by your colleagues when they need you and speak up when needed to speak up, whether men or women,” Shobhaa added.