In response to the Hema Committee’s findings in Mollywood, actor Vishal, Secretary of the Nadigar Sangam in Tamil cinema, has announced plans to establish a similar committee to address sexual abuse and human rights violations in Tamil cinema. Following his announcement, actress Kutty Padmini has spoken out about sexual misconduct within the industry, highlighting the urgent need for change.
Kutty Padmini, a seasoned actor and member of the internal complaints committee set up by the South Indian Artistes’ Association (SIAA) during the #MeToo movement in 2019, expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of these initiatives. She emphasised that without proper legal backing, the promises of action against sexual abuse would remain unfulfilled.
“The situation is so dire that I have not allowed my three daughters to come anywhere near the Tamil film industry,” Padmini told PTI. Reflecting on her own harrowing experiences, Padmini revealed she faced sexual abuse as a child actor. “When I was just ten years old, I encountered sexual misconduct. When my mother confronted the producers, we were simply kicked out of the film,” she recounted.
Addressing the committee proposed by Vishal, Padmini expressed doubt over its potential impact, citing past efforts that failed to bring about tangible results. “Despite having powerful women like Revathy, Rohini, and Suhasini on the committee post the #MeToo wave, not a single meeting took place. No one stepped forward to speak,” Padmini said.
On Thursday, Vishal, speaking to the media on his birthday, assured the formation of a 10-member committee within the next ten days, referencing the Justice K Hema Committee report that exposed misconduct in the Kerala film industry. However, Padmini dismissed his announcement as mere rhetoric, emphasising the difficulty in proving such cases, especially when victims speak out years after the incidents. “Child abuse is a serious crime, but perpetrators often go unpunished,” she lamented.
Shakeela, another prominent actress, echoed Padmini’s concerns and highlighted the extreme sexual harassment faced by women in the Telugu film industry. Speaking in a recent YouTube interview with Galatta, she stressed the need for stringent punishment for offenders and urged industry bodies to take proactive steps. Shakeela pointed out that many women remain silent due to familial pressures, calling for effective solutions to ensure women’s safety in the industry.
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