#MeToo: TV Stars Urge Victims To Not Delay Reporting Cases Of Sexual Harassment

The #MeToo movement in Bollywood is gaining momentum rapidly. Women are being courageous enough to talk about the somber and murky episodes of their life; they are going all out to bring out the culprits in the open who sexually harassed them in the past. However, reporting an incident so late often becomes a problem and a bone of contention. He says something; she says something and assumptions are made at the end of the day. Desimartini.com got in touch with the TV actors in order to understand what they feel about coming out in the open and this is what they had to say. Read on –

Rohitash Gaud: Well, no one forgets the past.  We always mention our past memories or remember good or bad things. I don't feel that we can call it wrong if someone wants to discuss or mention their past experience (good or bad) to society. We cannot assume it as right or wrong as we were never part of that situation when the incident mentioned took place. We have full freedom to express ourselves and our support to anyone. Also, we have no right to be judgemental. There is a process for justice for all. The only care we should take is that no one should be cheated on when it comes to justice. I would say #MeToo movement will be successful only when these incidents get reported immediately.

Ssharad Malhotra: If anyone is sexually harassed, one should immediately take action against the individual, company or organisation and not wait for years and months to pass. Please raise your voice and seek justice then and there and do not prolong the matter because everything and everyone has a shelf life. Time is the most crucial factor out here.

Akashdeep: I think the #MeToo movement has taken off brilliantly. Now people have begun to come out into the open. Tanushree and her incident were blasted on the media and the support she received was so strong that it inspired more women to come out. Alok Nath mentioned today? Great. But don’t be excited. Each morning is going to be a great morning with more names coming out.  This is Bollywood’s clean up moment. If we miss this we will regret all our lives. Come out and spill it all. Let it all be known, named and shamed. Even if it happened in the past so what? See such things can rarely be proven in a court of law. It’s one's word against the others. But it shames the person. The outcome I feel now will be that only talent will survive. Men or women, who use this shortcut to success or hope for work this way, will realise it’s risky. The casting couch will become a small seat, used so rarely. If a girl doesn’t have the talent, no guy would promise her a film now in return for sexual favours. There is too much risk. A collective stand by Bollywood will be just right. I’m All for it. And I have always maintained that.

Romit Raj: Honestly, if the victim is saying the truth then whenever she feels comfortable enough she can talk about it. The delay might be because she has suffered, she has fought a battle of emotions, she has taken medication or might be going through depression. To speak takes a lot of courage. Following this, investigation should be carried out. It’s very important to file a complaint and do investigations so that no one takes advantage and malign anyone’s reputation and life.

Aanand Goradia: It is always good to talk your heart and mind out, I feel that whatever emotions good or bad you keep within yourself is not good for your health. It is poisonous for your brain and your heart, especially bad emotions and experience. But yes, there are bad emotions and experiences about which you are not able to speak out. But now, even after years of the incident, people are speaking about it. I also spoke about my experience when I was approached for casting couch. I spoke about it after 15 years obviously because I was vulnerable. I did not know whom to speak to. I was gullible and I was raw. I had no stand in the industry, today I have spoken about it. I don't want to blame anyone but these things are common in the industry.

Ruslaan Sayed: Any kind of sexual misconduct leaves a never healing wound on the life of victim. I can surely empathise with what these ladies might have gone through. We see glimpses of this every day in our lives in some form or the other. I have seen men ogling at women openly in public unapologetically. It takes guts to say what Vinta and Tanushree Ma'am stood up and said. When I think of the mental torture that these women have gone through, I would never question their intentions. What I feel is that the investigation should happen anyways and if found guilty suitable action should be taken as per law against the sexual predators which as per #MeToo claims are from all sectors of work.  

Ayush Anand Even before I came to Mumbai, I had heard about the casting couch. After I relocated from Delhi to Mumbai, I enthusiastically went for an audition that a casting director had called me for. While I thought it would be a proper office, when I reached the destination, it was nothing like that. It was a small, two-room apartment in a secluded neighbourhood. The room was very small and dark. He started asking me about my work and if I would be willing to have a relationship with the casting director, irrespective of whether the person is a man or woman. I flatly refused, and said that I was there just for work. I sensed that something was wrong, but since he had not made any advances, I gave him the benefit of doubt. Later, he asked me for a sexual favour and that’s when I walked out. As soon as I started on my way out, he said, ‘If you don’t give in now, you will roam around in Mumbai like other strugglers for years, and never get work’. He insinuated that my career will be finished if I don’t give into sexual favours. I surely support "Me Too Movement". It has become a rage.