actors have not called out sexual abusers in
Hindi film industry is because they fear
being judged and shamed. The #MeToo
campaign, which sparked off a movement in
Hollywood late last year, is yet to arrive in
Bollywood. There are only a handful of
Bollywood stars who have spoken about
sexual harassment prevalent in the industry,
without taking any names.
Taapsee says "fortunately or unfortunately"
she did not face any sexual harassment,
otherwise she would've "probably helped
voicing it." "It's not that it doesn't happen, it
does. I am aware of it because I hear from
people who tell me this but the same people
probably aren't ready to openly talk about it
because there are a lot of taboos attached
to it. They feel whatever little momentum
their career has gained, because of this a lot
of people will not support them, (they) will
think this is a cheap way of publicity. Their
ethics and characters will be questioned,"
she told PTI in an interview.
While Hollywood actors are naming and
shaming their abusers, the film fraternity
here has been silent on the topic, thereby
inviting criticism from fans. Taapsee says
things are a bit complex here."It's not who
was wrong and right in that situation. They
will look at the person with a doubt that
'you are exploiting this situation for your
benefit'. Especially for girls who have no
family here or someone supporting them
here. It's not like that. So may be that
insecurity really haunts them and that holds
them back," she adds.
The actor has currently featured in the short
film "Nitishastra" directed by Kapil Verma.
The film, presented by 'Royal Stag Barrel
Select Large Short Films', also talks about
rape and features Taapsee as a self-defence
teacher. Over the years with her films such
as "Baby" and "Naam Shabana", the actor
has earned the image of an action heroine.
At the launch of the short film today,
Taapsee said she does not view the label
negatively.
"In this industry, for an outsider to have any
image is a big thing. People do so many
things, just to have an image, whether it's
through PR or films. To have such a strong
image, without any acting, off-camera, I feel
blessed. The fact that my audience relates to
me and has brought me so far, and you all
have come to watch my short film, I think
the image is working well for me," she said.
http://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/report-taapsee-pannu-explains-why-the-metoo-campaign-hasn-t-yet-arrived-in-bollywood-2622039.
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