‘I have felt unsafe…’: Actress Shraddha Srinath raises concerns over Hema Committee Report

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'I have felt unsafe...': Actress Shraddha Srinath raises concerns over Hema Committee Report

As an ardent fan of the South film industry and a supporter of women empowerment, I wholeheartedly applaud Shraddha Srinath for her insightful comments regarding the safety and well-being of women in the industry. Her personal experiences highlight the need for change and her suggestions for structural bodies to combat systematic abuse are spot on.

Controversy continues to surround the South film Industry, particularly the Malayalam sector, following the publication of the Hema Committee Report. In a new twist, Kannada actress Shraddha Srinath voiced her opinion on the issue and advocated for the creation of more organized bodies to combat systematic abuse. Speaking at the Indian Today Mind Rocks Youth Summit, Shraddha shared that despite never feeling unsafe while working on film sets, she emphasized the importance of providing adequate sanitation facilities for women in the industry.

Shraddha expressed, “I’ve always felt secure within my work environment, but outside of it, particularly while commuting from a party or worrying about my driver’s whereabouts, I’ve often felt uneasy. This sense of discomfort has been with me since I was eight years old. Fortunately, I haven’t encountered any challenges in the industry, but that doesn’t mean others aren’t facing their own struggles.

Furthermore, Shraddha stated that things can be challenging, particularly when women who have had negative experiences don’t know who to confide in. She suggested establishing a structured system to address these issues, as well as implementing smaller changes that could make a difference. For instance, having proper restrooms on film sets for hair stylists and saree drapers would be beneficial. Shraddha emphasized the importance of acknowledging this issue and participating in the conversation about it.

To put it simply, for those who may not be aware, the Hema Committee report became public knowledge on August 19 this year. This report highlighted the extensive abuse of women within the Malayalam film industry. Moreover, the Hema Committee report also brought to light instances of sexual harassment, the practice known as “casting couch”, and a male-dominated power structure in the film industry, among other problematic issues.

Notable individuals such as Nivin Pauly, Siddique, Jayasurya, Edavela Babu, Maniyanpilla Raju, directors Ranjith and V.K. Prakash, production executives Vichu, Baburaj, and director Tulasidas have gained attention after the unveiling of the Hema Committee Report.

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2024-09-14 13:22