The Hema Committee report on the Malayalam film industry has shocked every industry. Actress Swara Bhaskar has also shared her opinion on this. According to Swara, this is not a new thing in the showbiz world. It has always been a patriarchal mindset. Swara is the first from the Hindi film industry to talk about this.
Swara got upset with Hema Committee’s report
Swara shared her opinion on her Instagram and told that she is giving these views after reading the 233 page report of the Hema Committee. Swara wrote- Are the other language industries in India also talking about such things? Until we face the uncomfortable truths that we all know are present all around us, people with power will continue to misuse it. The brunt of this will be borne by those who are weak. Reading the committee’s report is heartbreaking. And even more heartbreaking because it is familiar. Maybe not every detail and every nuance, but the big picture of what the women have testified is very well known to everyone.
“Showbiz has always been a male dominated industry, a patriarchal power set-up. It is a perception and mindset that is very sensitive and risky too. Every day of production-shoot, even the days of pre and post production are days when the meter is ticking and money is spent. Nobody likes interruption, even if the interrupter has raised his voice for the right thing in an ethical way. Everyone feels it is more convenient and financially correct to just keep going.”
Film makers get the status of gods and goddesses
Although the detailed report was released on August 19, the Kerala government had formed the panel in 2017 to research issues of sexual harassment and gender inequality. Swara shed light on this and said that there is a tradition of silence in the film industry and it is also appreciated. Not only this, it is even worshipped, awards are given.
“Showbiz is not just patriarchal, it is also dominating. Successful actors, directors and producers are elevated to the status of gods and whatever they do is ignored. If they do something you don’t like, it becomes very common for everyone around to notice and look away. If someone makes too much noise and doesn’t let an issue go, he is labelled a ‘trouble maker’ and is left to suffer the consequences of his excited behaviour.”
Along with this, Swara praised the members of WCC and said that “This happens everywhere in the world. This is how sexual harassment is normalized in showbiz and this is how a violent environment is termed as ‘this is how it works’. So why attack those who are new and are ready to work in the established structure. Those who create conditions for women where they are left with no other option. You (WCC) are heroes and you are doing the work that people sitting in higher positions should have done earlier. I have a lot of respect for you.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)