In the wake of the Hema committee report and a spate of sexual abuse allegations in Malayalam film industry, actor-turned-politician Khushbu Sundar says women should never adjust or compromise on their dignity and respectability. In an interview to THE WEEK, Khushbu says women should come out and file a complaint when a sexual exploitation takes place. Excerpts.
Are demands of similar judicial committees in other states justified?
It is not just cinema industry, sexual abuse happens in every industry. Such committees should be there wherever women are working. It is the need of the hour.
How do we end exploitation of women in cinema?
Women need to come out when a sexual exploitation takes place. Men think women will keep quiet. Women should immediately file a complaint and raise it as an issue. Cinema you see is seen and heard more, because there are celebrities involved. It is looked upon with a magnifying glass. I have been in the film industry for four decades. Nothing of this kind has happened with me, except a stray incident which I knew how to deal with. I put a full stop to it and I had people to take care of me.
Do you think women in cinema should be conscious of their actions, just as men should. Also, isn’t it wrong to label an entire film industry as evil because of the actions and deeds of a few?
True. One dead fish can contaminate the entire pond. I have worked with so many male actors who have made me safe. They ensured nobody misbehaved with me. Women, like you said, also have to draw the line. She should have an in-built conscience in her that should make her realise the difference between a good touch and a bad touch. And women should not tolerate any nonsense from anyone. Even when they act in intimate scenes they should be comfortable. With intimate directors on board now, there are so many clauses that help women to be comfortable while performing such scenes. Women should come out and speak more. They always have a choice in life. Their ‘no’ is definitely a ‘no’. They should never adjust or compromise on their dignity and respectability.
