‘Sexual harassment is not something that people feel comfortable talking about’

Vidya Balan opens up about Bollywood’s big silence on the discussion of sexual harassment. She also talks about the joy of playing a late night radio jockey in Tumhari Sulu releasing this Thursday in UAE theatres

I am against giving out a message or preaching in anyway through my film. I sign a film when I feel that I want to live this person’s life through my film.” Vidya Balan

IT IS AN open secret that the casting couch has been part of the Indian film industry but it is sad that the industry is silent about its predators whereas in Hollywood more and more victims are naming and shaming their assaulters. While talking to City Times, Vidya Balan said that women take time to talk about sexual harassment. “I do think that this discussion is really important. I definitely think that people are opening up because you realise that Hollywood actresses are amongst the most powerful in the world and yet they have kept quiet for so long. That’s because sexual harassment is not something that people, especially women, feel comfortable talking about but finally they are talking about it. In India, of late we have been talking about various issues that should be talked about, which we were earlier not talking about. So I don’t see why women should not be naming and shaming people who are perpetrators of sexual harassment.” Vidya was talking to us while promoting her upcoming film Tumhari Sulu where she plays the role of a homemaker who takes up the job of a late night radio jockey. We asked her if she is consciously signing films that are about female empowerment. “Honestly, no. I am against giving out a message or preaching in anyway through my film. I sign a film when I feel that I want to live this person’s life through my film. It’s a very instinctive decision. Having said that I do respond to scripts where women are going strength to strength, sometimes finding her voice, her identity etc. There is no attempt to choose scripts which talk about women empowerment.”

She has not taken up any other project after Tumhari Sulu. “I haven’t decided on what I want to do next. As soon as this film releases, I will start reading more scripts.” She also gave us reasons as to why she will never turn a writer, director or producer. “I don’t write at all. I don’t plan to direct or produce. Writing requires too much discipline. Directing requires handling too many people and the entire film. As a producer, you have to handle too many egos. So, no thank you. I am happy being an actor.”