By: Sarwaralam
By Asjad Nazir
EVER since news broke of the Harvey Weinstein sexual misconduct scandal, I have been repeatedly asked if the same has happened in the Indian film industry, which produces far more films than Hollywood.
The simple answer is that it’s worse in India and those who have abused their positions of power will likely not face any prosecution or brought to justice.
Sexual abuse is prevalent in all societies; recently a story emerged of a woman being raped in broad daylight in India as bystanders filmed the attack – instead of helping her.
The Indian film industry can look away and sweep the issue under the carpet or finally open it eyes to confront a big problem that has clearly existed for a long time and take the lead towards making a positive change not only in the entertainment industry but also wider society.
The first step towards dealing with the problem is acknowledging that it exists. Just like in Hollywood, sexual abuse has existed in Bollywood for decades – with both males and females being victims. Those who have been abused include some big stars who will never speak up and countless individuals from impoverished backgrounds who are looking for a big break but were tossed aside without a second thought. The problem is so bad that some individuals who wield little power tell hopeful newcomers that there is only one path to success.
The second step is asking why the problem exists. Like in any other industry, there are men with way too much power who have used that, unchallenged, to quite frankly do as they please.
In India, where poverty levels are high and cinema is a means of escape, there are more vulnerable targets for unscrupulous individuals. Another reason why the problem persists is that most people in the Indian film industry have consistently turned a blind eye to abusers.
If today you asked Indian film industry members in confidence who they think the abusers are, then it is very likely that most people will come up with the same names as others. But they remain silent, instead of calling out abhorrent behaviour.
In the past, a tiny few people – including one leading lady – attempted to speak out, but got crushed. In case of that particular heroine, the abuser helped end a promising career, whilst the rest of the industry closed their eyes and ultimately shut the door on her.
In another instance there was forensic evidence that one actor had committed a heinous sexual crime, yet he was cast in a movie. The sole member of the star-studded cast who took a stand was the only female in the project. The more senior male members working on the film accepted him being in the cast and ultimately thought the actress was being a “difficult woman” for raising an objection. There are many similar stories. It is almost as if many think that if they remain in darkness the problem doesn’t exist.
Perpetrators of such crimes in India will rarely be brought to justice because of the flawed legal system. Those who have the money can pay a lawyer to drag a court case along for years and even decades. If by a miracle someone is convicted, they can buy their way out of trouble by paying the victim’s impoverished family and getting them to retract any accusations.
It is also important to understand that another reason why abuse is allowed to happen is because the film industry largely controls the media, so any damaging news story will almost certainly not be reported. In addition, south Asians, generally, are programmed from an early age to not talk about so-called “taboo” issues and keep problems like sexual abuse hidden.
So what can be done? Today all the biggest A-list stars in Bollywood, including those who may have done something wrong in the past, could collectively come forward to say, “We will not accept any type of sexual abuse in the industry”.
The industry can take a united stand and refuse to work with individuals who are known to be abusers. It would be relatively easy to do and will send out a powerful message.
However, it is quite unlikely they will do it, because it’s easier to pretend the problem doesn’t exist.
Strict laws dealing with such abuse should be enforced – but the problem is that an overburdened Indian judiciary mostly doesn’t allow for swift justice.
Another way Bollywood can effect a positive change is by looking at what kind of message they are sending out through cinema, which is perhaps the biggest influencer in terms of popular culture among south Asians.
Ever since the 1950s, stalking a woman (who is not interested) into submission has been a key part of countless Bollywood plot lines. Something that wouldn’t be accepted in a civilised society has consistently been painted as romantic onscreen in Indian cinema.
Then there are so called “item numbers” that have objectified women for decades. These are musical numbers that have very little to do with a plot, but are added and have a scantily clad woman dancing in the middle of a large group of men leering at her. In the 1970s and 1980s producers got around the censor board banning sex scenes by feeding a whole generation of male cinemagoers rape scenes.
A 1991 movie, Benaam Badsha, featuring two A-list stars had the story of a woman getting raped on her wedding day. She sets out to look for the attacker in order to persuade him to marry her – which is what eventually happens. Such plots send the wrong message to society, but it’s not too late to make a positive change.
Today there are small glimmers of light within Bollywood. Films about girl power are being made; actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar has set up the charity MARD, which is Men Against Rape and Discrimination. A few high-profile stars have raised the voices and others are have got involved with girl child charities. But it isn’t enough, and the industry can do so much more.
The starting point is for everyone working in the Indian film industry to take a long hard look in the mirror and acknowledge a problem actually exists – not only within the movie industry, but in society as a whole. Then doing something about it.
[TheChamp-Sharing]
