The revelations of the Justice Hema Committee report on harassment faced by women in the Malayalam cinema industry have shocked many. It has also triggered a debate on pay parity as the report pointed out that female artists face discrimination in pay, and recommended equal pay.
Wading into the debate, popular Malayalam actor Grace Antony said she couldn't say that there should be equal pay in the industry. Explaining her reasons, she said a film is being distributed on the basis of who is the lead star.
The actor said she won't be able to demand the same pay as the lead actor in a movie if the movie banks on the lead actors. However, it is important that artists are paid their due, the actor noted.
She said she wasn't paid well at the beginning of her film career and did not even have the chance to demand good pay. She said she was able to demand reasonable pay after she established herself as a good performer.
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She observed that in any field, there will be an initial phase of struggle and you will be able to get decent pay only after this phase, reported Malayala Manorama.
While the actor said she never faced any sort of sexual harassment or casting couch, Grace Antony added that she had heard from fellow actors about such incidents of harassment.
READ MORE: Casting couch exists in Malayalam film industry, reveals Justice Hema Committee report
Her remarks assume significance in the wake of the release of Hema Committee report which revealed explosive accounts of harassment, exploitation, and ill-treatment of female professionals in the film industry and alleged that a "criminal gang" was controlling the industry.
The actor, however, said while she heard that the report had come out, she is yet to see it. She further said it is not right to blame everyone in the industry.
