BETTER LATE THAN NEVER
Hcauses he supported,” Streep, as reported by dailymail.co.uk. Soon, other stars including Kate Winslet, Judi Dench and Glenn Close started to voice their opinions. In a statement to the New York Times, Glenn Close admitted that for many years, she had been “aware of the vague rumors that Harvey Weinstein had a pattern of behaving inappropriately around women”.
Not just women, men, too, are standing up for Ashley and the other actresses. Filmmaker Kevin Smith tweeted, Last week, Hollywood was shaken by the news that Harvey Weinstein, a powerful producer, was forced out of the company he founded following accusations of sexual harassment. Actresses Ashley Judd, Rose McGowan and a lot of other women claimed to have been sexually However, one cannot see such a harassed by the movie support in Bollywood, where mogul. And now, after actresses seldom stand up for each staying silent for what other, and where people are afraid seems to be the longest to take on someone who is in a time, the important powerful position. The battle voices from between Hrithik Roshan and Hollywood are Kangana Ranaut is a fine example. speaking up about Right from Twinkle Khanna to the allegations. Sonam Kapoor to Farhan Akhtar, Meryl Streep was celebrities are openly concurring the first to lead. with Hrithik’s side of the story, “The disgraceful while Kangana has been isolated. news about “.... Haha even if entire industry Harvey stands against her she Weinstein has will still survive appalled because she is the those of us chosen one,” wrote whose work Kangana’s sister he championed, Rangoli, confirming and that none of the those celebrities are standing whose up for her. “All socalled good values and and principles get worthy tossed out of the window when it ARVEY WEINSTEIN was considered to be one of Hollywood’s most powerful men. An Oscar-winning producer of he is a co-founder of Miramax Studio, which has produced hits like Weinstein was also co-chairman of The Weinstein Company till he was fired recently for sexually harassing actresses and employees over the years. His wife Georgina Chapman, who is standing by him, is a well known fashion designer who helms the label Marchesa. Weinstein is said to be the reason behind his wife’s phenomenal success because he would get all his actresses like Rene Zellweger, Halle Berry, Cate Blanchett, Blake Lively, Jennifer Lopez to wear Marchesa for film premieres and red carpet events. I don’t support Kangana and I don’t see it as an issue where women are not standing up for another woman. If there was a role reversal, and if Hrithik was stalking her or had harassed her, he would have been behind bars by now. There is evidence to prove that Hrithik is telling the truth, and one needs to understand that women are not always right
— BHARATHI PRADHAN, AUTHOR AND FILM JOURNALIST
starts hurting the pocket,” feels popular columnist Shobhaa De. She adds, “Showbiz is controlled the world over by sleazebags who sexually exploit women — and men. Nobody from the industry dares to take them on for fear of losing lucrative deals. Hollywood or Bollywood — the story is the same. All these high profile supporters of causes are shrewd and calculating when it comes to standing up against the rich and powerful.” Why don’t we see women in the industry backing each other? “Because the industry is misogynistic,” says Simi Chandoke, a media professional, adding, “In Bollywood, history has it that whenever anybody has spoken against a powerful person, their career gets wiped out. You might have also noticed that even newbies like Kriti Sanon and Yami Gautam are taking Hrithik’s side, whereas A-list actresses like Katrina Kaif and Kareena Kapoor Khan have not made any comments.”
S howbiz is controlled by sleazebags who sexually exploit women and men. Nobody from the industry dares to take them on for fear of losing lucrative deals. Hollywood or Bollywood — the story is the same. All these high profile supporters of causes are shrewd and calculating when it comes to standing up against the rich and powerful. — SHOBHAA DE