Radikaa Sarathkumar: ‘Actors with political ambitions should first voice their support for the women in their film fraternity’

Radika Sarathkumar Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Veteran actress Radikaa Sarathkumar, who has increased her popularity after the release of the film ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’? K. Hema Committee ReportThe actress, who has recently made fresh allegations based on an incident that happened with her on the sets of a Malayalam film, held a press conference on the burning issue of safety of women in the Tamil film industry.

Radhika again said that she does not want to name and shame the perpetrators. She said, “I have seen people who have made mistakes and have paid a heavy price for it. When it happened to us, I and my colleagues handled it properly and as strong women, we did not want to appear helpless in front of the media.”

The actor said, “It cannot be denied that there should be some kind of protection for the future and current generation of artistes, given the advent of technology and how it is used against women.”

Reiterating her earlier statement, Radhika said, “I had earlier told Nassar (actor and Nadigar Sangam president) to form a strong committee that includes officials like lawyers and police so that artistes can trust that they can rely on this committee.”

“I have spoken up in the Producers Council that it is the producers’ responsibility to provide basic facilities to women working on film sets. Productions should provide facilities like toilets, changing rooms and caravans. Women on sets should have a place to come forward and raise issues if any incident happens to them.”

Expressing her support for victims of sexual abuse in the film industry, she said, “I am shocked when male victims are asked why it took them years to come forward against their perpetrators. How can anyone know the mental agony a woman goes through in that period along with her other responsibilities? It happens in every sector, and just like a corporate company has an HR department to handle such issues, we also need a similar department with trustworthy people.”

Citing personal examples, Radhika said, “I think such abusive behaviour has reduced, but that could also be because I have become a character artiste now. I have sheltered young women at shooting locations who were harassed by men. There have been many instances where society has celebrated such perpetrators, which disappoints me the most. Every heroine has a horrific past, and seeing people celebrating perpetrators feels like our biggest failure. While Sunita Williams is in space and Kamala Harris is running for president, I think it is a failure of our society that we are talking about this now.”

Reacting to stars refraining from commenting on the issue, Radhika said, “Your silence will be misunderstood. Imagine how relieved the women of this fraternity will be when someone big and famous says that he stands with us on this issue.”

She said, “I want people to let go of their egos and come together to work on bigger issues. The Tamil film industry is good, but it is also a disorganised but organised industry. Almost all actors have political ambitions and before voicing the concerns of society, they should start expressing their support for the women of their fraternity.”