Character artistes seek a safe work atmosphere

Over a dozen character artistes came out with instances of rape and sexual harassment in the Telugu film industry on Sunday, even as they demanded a safe work atmosphere and culture.

The women who spoke out in a round-table meet organised by city-based women’s rights outfits including Progressive Organisation of Women (POW) were accompanied by Sri Reddy, the television anchor-turned-actor who had stripped a week ago in front of the film chamber office to protest alleged sexual exploitation.

The women also demanded that the industry give Telugu-speaking artistes at least 10 days of work per month as against the practice of replacing them with artistes of North India and other States in the South. Female character artistes announced their decision to unionise within the industry to ensure minimum wages.

Speaking to the media, Sri Reddy endorsed the demands of fellow actors and asked bigwigs in the industry to deplore prevalent sexual harassment. “Actors in the industry limit their heroism to silver screen. Outside, when injustices happen, where does their heroism disappear?” asked Ms. Reddy. She protested Tollywood’s decision to ban her from the industry. “For a role I was sexually exploited and later discarded and the people who exploited me call me a prostitute now. What option did I have other than to oblige? The industry is forcing us into sexual exploitation” she said. Ms. Reddy also demanded Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to intervene in this matter.

Financial troubles

Women who spoke at the meeting said that they face financial crisis because the industry middlemen deprive them of fair wages. “Out of ₹ 5,000 promised to me as remuneration in a film I got only ₹ 1,500. Brokers who supply character artistes eat into our earnings,” said Sona Rathode, a transgender woman artiste who also alleged she was sexually harassed. Speaking at the meeting, women accused Tollywood of denying them basic amenities including rest rooms, toilets and medical care. “I was left to die after a film agent injured my skull, backbone and legs after he raped me. Now I suffer serious health issues and the industry does not care. I was not given a day’s wage when I fainted on a film set,” said Jyothirmayi, a character artiste.

Women’s rights organisations who have been supporting the actors pledged to continue putting pressure on the industry and government to bring regulation that ensures safety and financial security. “There should be an external Committee Against Sexual Harassment that should mitigate complaints of actors” said Sandhya of POW. Their protests will intensify within two days, the women warned.