Why Arjun Kapoor wants people to shut up and listen
Bollywood star Arjun Kapoor speaks strongly about sexual harassment in Bollywood as he promotes Namaste England
the #METOO movement has taken India by storm and women are in the forefront of the Hindi film industry – not just on the big screen but they are also not afraid to share their stories about sexual harassment in Bollywood. Recently, many stories of assault and exploitation of women have come out in the open. Arjun Kapoor, whose latest film Namaste England releases in the UAE today, said that now is the time to patiently hear their stories, and understand the gravity of the assault that women have faced and stand by them. He added that women need to be treated with utmost dignity.
“It’s not just restricted to Bollywood, it is something that is happening countrywide and worldwide right now. Yes, Bollywood is the starting point and it is the phantom and villain of the piece right now,” Arjun said, while talking to City Times.
“But I want to urge people to calm down, shut up and listen. We tend to create debate after debate, problems within problems, and indulge in countless irrelevant conversations,” added Arjun.
It is all about providing a safe working environment for women. “It is not just a film industry issue. It is an issue that is prevalent in every profession. We just need to allow women who have shown the courage to put their stories out there and for us to understand what they have gone through. We tend to just deviate from the topic and dilute the issue. Right now is not the time for reaction or judging. This is the time to keep quiet. Who are we to judge as to what the reality is? We need to be empathetic towards them and have to be very patient about their issues.”
Cine and TV Artists’ Association (CINTAA) recently conducted a press conference and came out with stringent rules ensuring protection from sexual harassment at workplace. Recently, even the
Producers Guild appointed a new committee, with producer Sneha Rajani as its head, to address the issue of sexual harassment at the workplace within the film industry.
Many actions are being taken to make sure that there is no abuse of power or patriarchy anymore.
“Let the venom come out and we will find the medication later. It is not something that we can find a solution for right away. It is something that is happening in our houses. We have to make changes in the mindset of the people,” said Arjun.