Earlier this week, women artists and technicians in the Malayalam film industry started an initiative called ‘Women in Cinema collective’. A forum to address gender issues within the industry which include lack of security, basic facilities and to ensure women’s participation in the industry’s activities, the association brings together women from the industry as its members, and has been launched to much acclaim.
Thamarai
But the initiative has now also kick-started a heated discussion on whether there is a need for a separate union for women members in Kollywood, where they can solve the issues in a collective manner. Though many Tamil actors are supportive, a few feel that a separate association might lead to disagreement and confusion.
Lyricist Thamarai opines, “We have a Tamil lyricists union (called Writers Union), where all the lyricists, irrespective of gender, are members. I can express and address any of my grievances to the union. Similarly, every department has a union — be it camera, editing, music, stunt — and all come under FEFSI (Film Employees Federation of South India). There are 26 unions under it and whatever problem we face is addressed through these unions. To have a separate union for women working in all these departments will be like an aviyal! When I entered the film industry, I had faced a lot of problems. It was not a cakewalk — there was discrimination. No matter what, I faced all the challenges and could sustain in the industry all these years. I never asked for any privileges stating that I am a woman and that is the reason for me being a successful lyricist. The only thing I have asked for is to work at a secure time and place. I don’t think there is a need for a separate union, it will only create unnecessary confusion at large!”
Aishwarya Rajesh
Actress Sneha Prasanna says she is on the fence about this — “It depends on how the industry works. Malayalam actors and technicians might have felt for a separate association and went ahead. In Kollywood, I have seen everybody supporting everyone, irrespective of gender and departments. Whatever problem pops up, we all stand together and it has become a ritual. In fact, I am happy to be a part of the film industry, not any individual association! Being an artiste, I am happy in my work space, and the way the industry works. If at all somebody starts an initiative here in Tamil, I will check its pluses and minuses and then take a call.”
Aishwarya Rajesh, who is currently shooting for Vada Chennai, exclaims, “If someone is going to start such a movement in the Tamil film industry, I’m not sure how many actresses will support it. The ladies who came together for the ‘Women in Cinema Collective’, are all Malayalees and there is a unity amongst actors, actresses, and other technicians. But a majority of the actresses working in Tamil industry are from other states! The women based in TN are very few, compared to Mollywood. Having said that, if somebody comes forward to start an organisation exclusively for women working in K’town, I will definitely support it. It will be a great platform for us to address a lot of pressing issues. I don’t know who will initiate it, but if it works out, it will be a good sign for the Tamil film industry.”
Others like Priya Anand say that they are happy for the women’s collective in Mollywood, but are quite satisfied with the way the Nadigar Sangam works here. “I trust them completely and I am happy with their work. No matter what the issues are, all the actors come together and support each other, regardless of gender. Being a female artiste, I have never felt the need for a separate association for actresses in the Tamil film industry,” she opines.
But it does look like the majority is batting for the start of something similar in Kollywood! Actor-director Rohini also agrees, “I really appreciate the way the women artistes and technicians like Bina Paul and Manju Warrier have come forward to start a separate association. I think it’d be great if there is a similar initiative in our Tamil industry as well. More than from within the industry, Tamil actresses face a lot of problems from the outside. Especially from the media — they portray actresses in a bad way and publish news without cross-checking the truth — and this, in turn, tarnishes an artist’s image. I think this is one of the major issues that need to be addressed collectively.”
