‘Was sexually harassed as a child artist, how to give proof as asked by Suresh Gopi’

CHENNAI: Many famous actors of the Malayalam film industry have been accused of sexual harassment soon after the release of the Hema Committee report. Meanwhile, famous actress and serial producer Kutty Padmini has openly said that there is widespread sexual harassment in the Tamil television industry. In an interview to NDTV, she also spoke openly about her experience as a child artiste. Kutty Padmini revealed that many women in the television industry have committed suicide due to sexual harassment.

‘Directors and technicians demand sexual favours from women artistes. Many do not complain as sexual harassment cannot be proved. However, others will tolerate this as they earn pretty well. Acting is also a profession like doctors, lawyers and IT professionals. Why it has to be a flesh trade only in the film industry? It is very wrong.’

Kutti Padmini pointed the ban imposed by the Tamil film industry on singer Chinmayi and actor Sri Reddy for raising sexual allegations. She expressed concern on the ban against the two. Padmini said that she was sexually harassed as a child artist. She also said that when her mother raised the issue, she was thrown out from a Hindi film.
'There is no progress in the investigation on the sexual harassments in the Tamil film industry. I read that Suresh Gopi asked ‘Where is the proof. How can anyone give proof? They can do lie detector test like the CBI is doing,’ she said.

Meantime, actor Vishal, the general secretary of Nadigar Sangam, an association of Tamil stars, said a panel akin to Hema Committee will be formed to address the complaints of sexual harassment in the Tamil film industry. Vishal also said that there are men in Tamil cinema who approach women with bad intentions. However, Tamil Nadu Minister Swaminathan said that he has not received any complaints about sexual harassment from the Tamil film industry.