August 27, 2024, 2:48 p.m. IST
Nani was asked to share his views on the alleged sexual harassment of women in the Malayalam film industry as he reflected on the status of women in India.
Recently, Telugu actor Nani made headlines for his reaction to Arshad Warsi’s ‘joke’ comment on Prabhas in his film Kalki 2898 AD. Nani, who is currently gearing up for his next film Saripodhaa Sanivaaram, has now expressed his concern in an interview with NDTV over the findings of the recently released Hema Committee report detailing the rampant sexual abuse and deplorable working conditions faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. Read also | Prithviraj Sukumaran ‘not shocked’ by Hema Committee report: ‘It is important to punish those who commit sexual abuse’
“I’m afraid to scroll”
Reacting to the alleged sexual harassment and exploitation of women and girls in the Malayalam film industry and the status of women in the country as a whole, Nani said that the current situation continues to bother him. He said, “This has been bothering me since the Nirbhaya case (2012, a gang rape and murder case in Delhi). It never stops and it keeps bothering us. In fact, I am afraid to scroll through Twitter or anything… while scrolling, suddenly some pictures or messages can pop up that can bother me for the rest of the day. So we are going through this social media boom, everyone is on social media and doing so many things. I think whatever peaks, it also comes down.”
He added: “Now when I hear all these news stories, especially about how women are treated or how anyone can say or do anything and think they can get away with it, I really think we are in the worst (situation) there is. In comparison, 20 years ago, the situation was much better. And 20 years before that, it was even better. I think we are in the worst (situation). Because of my profession or in general, because I love children, meet children and interact with them a lot more. I have spoken to a lot of five- and seven-year-olds of this generation. Somehow this generation is particularly smart. I feel like a better (future) is coming. I think the situation will be better than it is today. They will be much better than us.”
More on the Hema Committee report
Earlier this month, a redacted version of the Justice Hema Committee’s report on harassment of women in the Malayalam film industry was released. It contains shocking accounts of harassment, exploitation and mistreatment of women professionals. The 235-page report, released after redacting the names of witnesses and accused, states that the Malayalam film industry is controlled by around 10 to 15 male producers, directors and actors who dominate and control the industry.
The report of the three-member panel headed by a former judge of the Kerala High Court, set up by the state government in 2017, was submitted to the Pinrayi-led Kerala government in December 2019 and made public only this month.
