DOES BOLLYWOOD FEAR ITS OWN WEINSTEIN?

Following the letter on sexual harassment from Maneka Gandhi, the industry asks, ‘Why only us?’

There’s already a ruling that a Vishakha Committee (for looking into sexual harassment cases) has to be there in all organisations. With more awareness, perpetrators will become wary

RICHA CHADHA ACTOR

I don’t understand why the entertainment industry is picked separately. [But] we’ll abide by the law

PRITISH NANDY PRODUCER

Has the minister sent such advisories to the soap or textile sector? Sexual harassment exists everywhere

ASHOKE PANDIT IMPAA VICEPRESIDENT

The letter sent by Union Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi to 24 leading production houses of Bollywood, reminding them of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Work act, has got mixed reactions — some actors see this as a positive move, but some producers and heads of industry associations have also questioned why, if so, Bollywood has been singled out by the minister.

In the notice, sent to producers such as Aditya Chopra, Karan Johar, Ekta Kapoor and other big names, Maneka Gandhi has urged that all organisations follow the law “in letter and spirit”.

So, are there men like disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, who has been accused of being a sexual predator for three decades, in Bollywood as well? Certainly, going by the accounts of actors such as Swara Bhaskar and Tisca Chopra, who have recalled their encounters with the ‘casting couch’.

Actor Richa Chadha feels that the minister’s letter and similar actions would serve as a strong warning to all the sexual predators.

However, producer Pritish Nandy, who confirmed receiving the letter from the minister’s office, raised the question why companies in Bollywood have got the letter, seeing that sexual harassment is everywhere. “I certainly think that sexual harassment exists in other industries and it exists in Bollywood as well. However, I don’t understand why the entertainment industry is picked separately,” says Nandy. “We’ll definitely abide by the law,” he adds.

Others have even stronger views on this. Ashoke Pandit, vice-president of the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association, says, “We don’t need a reminder. It is the basic duty of every person to make sure that every woman and every child is protected. This is quite funny and looks like a mockery. Has the minister sent such advisories to the soap or textile industry? Because sexual harassment exists everywhere.”

Then again, actor Sushant Singh, general secretary of the Cine and TV Artists Association, thinks that sending the letter is a good step even if people are already willing to respect the law. He says that as an artists’ union, this organisation does what’s best for its members, and adds that this letter is a “welcome step”. We sent the minister a request for a comment, but our attempt didn’t get a response.

PHOTO: TARA ZIEMBA/ AFP

Above: Part of the Union ministry’s tweet, listing some of the Bollywood producers who were sent the letter; Right: Actor Salma Hayek, who said she was targeted by Harvey Weinstein