Radikaa Sarathkumar hits out at Vishal for his casual comment on the Hema Committee and also blames the industry for not doing enough to make it a safe working place for young women actors
Actress Radhika. (Image by arrangement)
Radikaa Sarathkumar has taken a strong stance against Vishal’s recent reaction to the Hema Committee’s findings. Vishal downplayed the committee’s outcomes, in one of his statement’s claiming that “anyone can complain.” Radikaa is outraged by this comment, terming it not just insensitive but deeply troubling. “Vishal’s remarks trivialize the genuine concerns of women in our industry. He needs to apologise and learn to respect the voices of those who’ve come forward bravely,” she asserts.
While Vishal has promised to form committees to probe harassment within 10 days and also has asked victims to “hit back” at perpetrators, his latest casual remark has irked a few.
Don’t need sympathy, act!
Radikaa is adamant that the industry needs more than just sympathetic gestures. She’s advocating for the creation of ‘guidance committees’ that would act as grievance redressal bodies, working alongside major artist’s’ associations. “In my discussions with Dhanush, Trisha, Mohan Lal, and Rajinikanth, I’ve urged them to push for a real system where women’s voices are heard and addressed. We need a robust support system within the industry, not just committees that serve to protect each other’s interests,” she explains. She continues, “As stars of this industry we’ve in someway failed to truly stand by one another. When we have noticed things go awry, we have mulled over it or spoken sense to our colleagues and solved issues. But nothing yet to bring systemic change. I’ve also personally spoken to Nasser who is the key figure at Nadigar Sangam to come up with a more sensible and receptive structure that factors more women on the committee.”
Disturbing facts
Radikaa also revealed the realities about the harassment young female actors face.
Don’t need sympathy, act!
Radikaa is adamant that the industry needs more than just sympathetic gestures. She’s advocating for the creation of ‘guidance committees’ that would act as grievance redressal bodies, working alongside major artist’s’ associations. “In my discussions with Dhanush, Trisha, Mohan Lal, and Rajinikanth, I’ve urged them to push for a real system where women’s voices are heard and addressed. We need a robust support system within the industry, not just committees that serve to protect each other’s interests,” she explains. She continues, “As stars of this industry we’ve in someway failed to truly stand by one another. When we have noticed things go awry, we have mulled over it or spoken sense to our colleagues and solved issues. But nothing yet to bring systemic change. I’ve also personally spoken to Nasser who is the key figure at Nadigar Sangam to come up with a more sensible and receptive structure that factors more women on the committee.”
Disturbing facts
Radikaa also revealed the realities about the harassment young female actors face.
“I’ve had female co-stars come and stay in my hotel room because they were afraid of knocks on their doors from senior actors. Some didn’t know how to handle it. This is a reality many women in our industry face and it needs to be addressed urgently,” she says.
Perpetrators are often your own colleagues right?
“Yes, and believe me I’ve taken up for many women and ensured they are safe. Also I have had conversations with actors who’ve had a tendency to harass young women.
I may not have publicly called them out but believe me on many a set I’ve reprimanded men for their behaviour.”
"In my discussions with Dhanush, Trisha, Mohan Lal, and Rajinikanth, I’ve urged them to push for a real system where women’s voices are heard and addressed. We need a robust support system within the industry, not just committees.”
Rajinikant is oblivious of Hema report!
When the press asked the superstar about the Justice K Hema Committee report on sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry, his reply was: “I don’t know…I don’t know anything about that. Sorry.”
Why silence prevails
Radikaa doesn’t sugarcoat why more actors aren’t speaking up about harassment. “There’s a deep-rooted culture of fear in our industry. Many actors, both male and female, worry about the repercussions on their careers if they speak out. The power dynamics are such that speaking against the wrong person could end your opportunities. It’s not that people don’t see the issues; they’re just scared of the consequences. This fear is exactly why we need stronger support systems,” she explains. Reflecting on past challenges, she adds, “Earlier, victims had no choice but to face long, exhausting legal battles. Most didn’t want to take that route, so having accessible grievance mechanisms now is crucial.”
Men need to man up!
Radikaa is particularly concerned about the silence from male colleagues. “What bothers me the most is how few men are willing to stand up and call out their own kind. They may listen to women’s objections and offer sympathetic gestures, but in this male-dominated industry, no man wants to take a stand and sort this mess out. It’s disheartening and only perpetuates the problem,” she says.
Why silence prevails
Radikaa doesn’t sugarcoat why more actors aren’t speaking up about harassment. “There’s a deep-rooted culture of fear in our industry. Many actors, both male and female, worry about the repercussions on their careers if they speak out. The power dynamics are such that speaking against the wrong person could end your opportunities. It’s not that people don’t see the issues; they’re just scared of the consequences. This fear is exactly why we need stronger support systems,” she explains. Reflecting on past challenges, she adds, “Earlier, victims had no choice but to face long, exhausting legal battles. Most didn’t want to take that route, so having accessible grievance mechanisms now is crucial.”
Men need to man up!
Radikaa is particularly concerned about the silence from male colleagues. “What bothers me the most is how few men are willing to stand up and call out their own kind. They may listen to women’s objections and offer sympathetic gestures, but in this male-dominated industry, no man wants to take a stand and sort this mess out. It’s disheartening and only perpetuates the problem,” she says.
“There’s a deep-rooted culture of fear in our industry. Many actors, both male and female, worry about the repercussions on their careers if they speak out. The power dynamics are such that speaking against the wrong person could end your opportunities. They’re scared.”
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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