Headline: Amid MeToo Controversy in Kerala, Samantha Prabhu Urges Telugu Film Industry to Take Action
In Short:
- Samantha Ruth Prabhu praises the Hema Committee report on sexual harassment in Kerala's film industry.
- She urges the Telangana government to publish a similar report for the Telugu film industry.
- Samantha highlights the importance of establishing a safe working environment for women in Tollywood.
Full News:
Samantha Ruth Prabhu has expressed her support for the Hema Committee report, which has brought to light several instances of abuse within Kerala's film industry. In an Instagram story, the actor urged the Telangana government to publish a similar report on sexual harassment in the Telugu film industry (TFI). She emphasized that such a report could help frame essential policies and ensure a safe working environment for women.
"We, the women of the Telugu film industry, welcome the Hema Committee report and applaud the persistent efforts of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) in Kerala, which has paved the way for this moment," Samantha wrote. She further added, "We hereby urge the Telangana government to publish the submitted subcommittee report on sexual harassment, which can help frame government and industry policies, to establish a safe working environment for women in the TFI."
The 235-page report by the Justice Hema Committee, published after redacting the names of witnesses and the accused, reveals that the Malayalam film industry is largely controlled by a small group of 10-15 male producers, directors, and actors. The three-member committee, formed by the Kerala state government in 2017, submitted its report in 2019, but its release was delayed due to legal challenges.
Samantha believes that the Telugu film industry would greatly benefit from the establishment of a Kerala-style committee to address similar issues.
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On the professional front, Samantha Ruth Prabhu was last seen in the film Kushi, co-starring Vijay Deverakonda. She will next appear in the project Bangaram, which she announced on her birthday this year. Additionally, she is set to star in Raj and DK's Citadel: Honey Bunny, alongside Varun Dhawan, Kay Kay Menon, and Sikandar Kher, with the series slated for release in November.