‘Staying quiet about sexual abuse is not brave’
Ever since news broke of how Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein sexually harassed — and allegedly assaulted — women for decades, the topic of sexual misconduct in showbiz has been making headlines regularly. Bollywood stars, too, have spoken about it, but no names have arisen. Actor Neha Dhupia, however, feels that’s not the right thing to do. “Staying quiet about sexual abuse is not brave. Coming out and talking about it is. I’m not going to protect the business by saying [sexual abuse] does not happen. I’m sure it happens. Let’s not kid ourselves.” Neha feels it’s “fear” that holds back Bollywood actors from coming forward and talking about sexual misconduct. “There’s constant fear among actors to protect their reputation, [and that of] their parents and families, so they don’t talk about the abuse they might have seen or faced.”
When asked if she ever faced any such thing in her 15 years in Bollywood, the actor replies in the negative. “I’ve never felt exploited. I feel blessed. But at the same time, maybe it’s because of the person I am. I’m really particular about how meetings are done or what the system is,” she says.
Neha adds that it’s mostly newer actors who are at risk of being abused. “There’s a lack of an ecosystem in the business when it comes to how things are done. Many times, when new actors get a call, they’re tempted to go to meetings, and it’s not their fault at all. But there are obnoxious people who take advantage of the fact that a boy or girl is just here to work.”
Neha says that nobody can “empower” anyone to talk about such topics and that one can only “enable” another person to speak up if bad things are happening to them.
There’s constant fear among actors to protect their reputation, [and that of] their parents and families, so they don’t talk about the abuse they might have seen. NEHA DHUPIA, ACTOR